THOUSANDS JOIN FIGHT TO SAVE M&S STORE
Thousands sign petition
A petition to save East Kilbride town centre Marks & Spencer from closing has secured thousands of signatures.
Carolyn Denham spent two days outside the Plaza store and has more than 5000 signatures from residents across the town in her bid to stop the doors of the flagship shop slamming shut with the loss of 67 jobs.
The prominent unit is one of 14 outlets M&S have earmarked for closure. Business leaders, local politicians and residents have all slammed the retailer’s decision.
Carolyn told the News:“It would be a major blow to the community to lose M&S and they really need to listen to the strength of feeling there is against closure.”
A petition to save East Kilbride’s Marks & Spencer from closure has secured over 5000 signatures.
Carolyn Den ham ,44, from Green hills, took to the town centre to have her voice heard in the battle to keep the doors of the Plaza store open – saving 67 jobs.
She follows on from East Mains pension er Mar y Matthews who got her son to set up an online petition on her behalf after M&S announced that East Kilbride was one of 14 new stores proposed for closure as part of radical restructuring plans.
And Carolyn said there was overwhelming support when she set up a stall in the Plaza over two days.
She told the News :“I initially set up a petition online as I work in the civic centre and I am in there nearly every day for myself and my 92-year-old grandad or mum.
“I also have a friend who works in the store and really felt I needed to do something – to lose M&S would be such a massive blow to the town and to all the staff, some of whom have worked there for nearly 40 years.”
Carolyn went on: “After my online petition was set up, a few folk asked if I could do a paper one as they didn’t use social media or have access to the one online.
“The town centre management let me set up a table and I had folk coming from some of the nearby tower blocks asking for petitions to distribute, particularly among the elderly, folk coming on behalf of their streets and also folk from the Hunter Health Centre taking a whole load over there.
“It was unbelievable and just shows the strength of feeling there is in the town.
“MP Dr Lisa Cameron also gave me her support and was my first signatory.
“Between the two days in the shopping centre and the online petition I easily have more than 5000 signatures.”
Carolyn believes the retail giant needs to rethink its decision.
She added: “M&S really need to listen as I don’t think they fully appreciate how this would affect people–especially the elderly, many of whom are unable to get up to the Kings gate store or into Glasgow.
“It would be a major blow to the community of East Kilbride and as far as I am aware staff were told the Plaza store was the most profitable in the area just the day before being given the heartbreaking news they were earmarked for closure.
“I just don’t see how it adds up.”
To add your support to Carolyn’s campaign, go to the Save M&S – EK Town Centre group on Facebook.
To lose M&S would be such a massive blow.