A councillor has slammed retail giant Marks and Spencer for “turning their backs” on the people of East Kilbride.
Grant Ferguson said he was dismayed to find empty shelves and the Plaza entrance to the town centre store shut-off (pictured) when he visited recently.
It comes after a row broke out between the firm and landlords EK, East Kilbride, over the future of the store.
M&S accused town centre bosses earlier this year of dragging their heels over announcing an exact closure date for the Plaza store.
That has seen them wind-down operations with only a small number of staff remaining and barely any stock being sold.
But landlords hit back saying they expected M&S to honour their lease and remain open.
Councillor Feguson told the News he would “never step foot inside a M&S again” after discovering shelves stripped bare.
He added: “It’s an absolute disgrace and an insult to the people of East Kilbride who have supported Marks and Spencer all these years.
“They have had a very comfortable income from the people of East Kilbride and this was evident when they opened their metro in the Kingsgate.
“And this is the thanks the people of East Kilbride get for the hard earned money they have spent in this shop over the years?
“I am absolutely disgusted and will never step foot in any of their stores ever again.”
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M&S’ stance comes after two years of negotiations with their landlord and follows their announcement in 2018 to axe the store.
A spokesman for EK, East Kilbride, said: “As we have said on several occasions over the past few months, M&S has been an important and well-loved store within EK for many years, with this depth of feeling underlined in a wide ranging community campaign following the store’s initial announcement in 2018.
“We understand this only too well and fully appreciate that we also have a responsibility to the people of East Kilbride to provide the best services we can.
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“We know the current situation with M&S is frustrating for shoppers, however, we have continued to make it clear to the retailer that we expect them to honour the terms of their lease and continue to operate in the centre, offering a full service to the EK community.”
An M&S spokesman said the “difficult decision” forms part of the firm’s wider store estate transformation.
The spokesman added: “We are continuing discussions with our landlord with the aim to set a final date for the closure of the store and we hope to be able to share this with the local community as soon as possible.”
