A petition has been set up to try and save Hamilton town centre's Marks and Spencer store.
The campaign, which has already garnered almost 1000 signatures, began on Friday evening, shortly after it was announced that the Regent shopping centre store is to shut, with an M&S food hall planned for an empty building on Hamilton Retail Park, opposite Sainsbury's and close to Morrisons Superstore.
The move has caused huge controversy across the town, with residents fearing it spells the "death knell" for the town centre.
Hundreds of people took to social media over the weekend to voice their concerns, with many believing opening a food hall away the town centre, coupled with taking away the clothing department, is a bad move.
Others fear for the existing staff, with M&S stating that "many" members of their team will transfer to the new store, with opportunities for others to move to stores in Glasgow's Argyle Street, Braehead and Silverburn.
Lanark and Hamilton East MP, Angela Crawley, and Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP, Christina McKelvie, are also calling on M&S bosses to reconsider their plans.
Although the pair welcome the new store, they believe it will not fully make up for the proposed closure at a time when economic recovery hangs on a knife-edge as a result of coronavirus.
In a joint statement the political duo said: "We were disappointed to learn of Marks and Spencer’s plans to close their store at Regent Way in Hamilton and we would urge them to reconsider these proposals.
"This will be a huge blow to Hamilton town centre and the local economy which has already been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
"It is welcome that Marks and Spencer are planning to open a new store in the former Watt Brothers at Hamilton retail park but this will not fully negate the impact to staff and to the town."
In a statement, Marks and Spencer said: "In Hamilton we plan to open a brand new M&S food hall in the former Watt Brothers sire at 6 Douglas Park Lane.
"Our investment in this new store does unfortunately mean that we propose to close our existing store on Regents Way.
"In the case of Hamilton, we have given our offer in the local area a great deal of consideration and have decided we can best serve our customers by making these changes."
To sign the petition, click here