M&S have confirmed their changing spaces are 'gender neutral' sparking a furore including messages of support and even talk of a boycott.
A spokesperson for the nationwide reatailer has said that "as an inclusive retailer" when shopping for clothes, customers can choose the fitting room right for them.
In response to a question on Twitter regarding who can use which changing rooms, the spokesperson said: "While they are mainly used by customers of that gender, as an inclusive retailer and in line with most other retailers, we allow customers the choice of fitting room."
This sparked calls for a boycott with #boycottMarksandSpencer trending on Twitter, many arguing this would make an unsafe space for women.
One user said: "I have been a regular shopper at M&S since I was a teenager.
"Few times a year, every year. Clothing only.
"I shall not return to your shop until you provide female only changing rooms & I am advising friends & family of your unsafe policy."
Another said: "We need to boycott any retailer who refuses to take the safety and dignity of women seriously"
Others rushed to support the chain supermarket. One said: "I love it when hashtags like #boycottMarksandSpencer do the rounds. I'll be doing more of my shopping there, as there'll be less chance of running into bigots!"
Another supporter of M&S policy said: "I wondered why #boycottMarksandSpencer was trending and was totally unsurprised to see the usual transphobic bulls***.
"I’m amazed TERFs even leave their houses given how terrifying they find the idea of being in the vicinity of other people because they could turn out to be a man."
Despite the fresh calls to boycott the supermarket erupting in the past few days, the policy has been in place for the past three years and no changes to it have been made.
A M&S spokesperson said : “Our fitting rooms consist of individual lockable cubicles.
"They are located within our womenswear and menswear departments and therefore are mainly used by customers of that gender, however as an inclusive retailer and in line with most other retailers we allow customers their choice of fitting room, with our colleague’s exercising discretion and common sense.”
