Petition launched to save Marks and Spencer in Leicester city centre

A petition has been launched to save the Marks and Spencer store in Leicester city centre. Called "Save our Marks and Spencer", the petition, started by Christine Geschke, said the store was "vital to our local economy".

The appeal has been raised following the shock announcement at the beginning of this month by the retail giant which said it had taken "the tough decision" to "propose" to close the Gallowtree Gate store. The petition was created on Saturday, May 5, and has gathered dozens of signatures.

One signatory wrote that M&S was "a good meeting place with the cafe, especially for our elderly", and that it sold "good quality clothes" and offered a "convenient food store". Another wrote: "The city centre needs to be kept alive and vibrant for those with no transport of their own. Particularly in a city like ours who are encouraged to be green (sic)."

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"I regularly use this M&S, and cannot get to the one at Fosse Park as I don't have a car," wrote another person who backed the petition, while a fourth posted: "The M&S in Fosse Park is good but it's too far away."

After the announcement of the closure, city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Over the decades, Leicester like other cities has seen many big names come to the end of their life. Many people will remember C&A, Lewis’s, BHS and Fenwick. While it’s painful at the time, the city centre has continued to be remarkably resilient with more new businesses moving in to fill the gaps.

“Although it’s sad when they leave, it does give an opportunity for new life and new business, and the city council’s investment in the city centre over recent years has been very successful in attracting new growth and renewed confidence.”

Following the announcement, Marks and Spencer said its priority would be to speak to staff and let them know what the "proposed" closure meant for them. It said the company would look to offer them roles within the business, where possible.

The petition can be found on change.org. Just search for "Save our Marks and Spencer".