M&S packs up after 89 years
Veteran staffer Sandra Humphreys to end era
The grim reality of Paisley High Street’s historic Marks & Spencer store bailing out has now hit home.
Paisley photographer David Cameron was granted permission to take images on the ghostly shop floor.
The scenes of empty space will sadden generations of Buddies who have shopped there.
The firm first set up shop in the historic heart of town way back in 1931.
The gala opening was on November 20 and drew massive crowds.
It was only the third M&S in Scotland. That same store at number 15 will cease to exist in under two weeks as the firm quits the town centre.
And one elderly shopper who paused to reflect yesterday said: “Four generations of my family bought their clothes here.
“I can remember as a child just after the war holding onto my mum trying not to get lost.
“I was amazed at how big it was.” It was in July last year that the company announced it was pulling out of the High Street store.
Local Stuart McCabe gathered nearly 1,000 names on a petition calling for a rethink.
He said: “We cannot allow this to happen. This M&S store is vital to the people of Paisley.”
Councillor Kenny MacLaren has fond memories of shopping there.
He said: “I do avoid shopping as much as possible, but I was usually in the High Street M&S to get a jacket and shirt and tie or some clothes for an interview. “It is indeed a sad time. “It was an iconic shop in the town centre and the town will feel diminished without it.”
The building is being taken over by the same firm that bought The Paisley Centre next door.
Beyond Retail Property Fund hopes to r e v amp th e properties to create new homes and a mixture of retail, leisure and commercial units, together with new outdoor public spaces.
M&S is staying in the town, but as a foodhall at Wallneuk Retail Park later this month.
And Councillor MacLaren added: “That was one of the reasons I and some of my colleagues voted against the units at Wallneuk.
“We expected this to happen. I regard it as a sad reflection of what modern shopping is.” Some staff from High Street are also being moved to clothing operations at the Braehead store.
M&S traces its roots to 1884 when Michael Marks opened at market stall in Leeds.
After the Paisley High Street opening, new stores emerged in Ayr and Kilmarnock.
Sandra Humphreys, who has worked at M&S for 43 years, will turn the key in the lock for the last time on May 25.
Manager Kirk Russell said: “We’re proud to be a long-standing retailer and are excited to show locals our improved offering with our new foodhall in our 90th year in Paisley.
“Our colleagues from our High Street store will be moving with us.
“We understand that some people will be disappointed by the store’s move, but we believe that this decision will ensure the best possible offer for customers in Paisley.”