John Lewis must regain its ‘soul’ to survive, says Mary Portas

Retail expert urges troubled UK company not to lose sight of its values amid proposal to welcome outside investment

Mary Portas, one of Britain's leading retail consultants, has said the John Lewis group faces a battle to regain its soul, amid its potential move to welcome outside ownership.

Portas, who advised David Cameron's coalition government on the future of high streets, sent an open letter to the group's chair, Sharon White, and Nish Kankiwala, who joins as the group's first chief executive on Monday, urging them not to lose sight of its values and position as a British institution.