A campaign has been launched to save a cafe that has become a 'social hub' for its local community.
M&S Cafe Bishopbriggs will be closing later this year to make way for the transformation of its food hall.
Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for the cafe, which has been described as a 'lifeline' for some customers, to be saved.
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Julie Lee who began the petition told Glasgow Live that she felt obliged to take action after older customers told her they felt their voices were being ignored.
The 54-year-old massage therapist said: "I wasn't aware that it was being closed until a few people in the salon told me. I was really shocked to hear because it's a busy cafe and is really popular with the older generation.
"I'm fit and healthy so I can travel elsewhere but for a lot of people, it's really their only option. It's either that or Tim Hortons and a lot of people don't know how to use the machines in there.
"A lot of elderly people meet there after doing their shopping and it could be the only social interaction they have that week and would otherwise be on their own. It's not just a cafe for them.
"A few people who were in the salon told me they felt like they were invisible. These are the people who kept Marks & Spencers going through the years when other shops were struggling and now they're just being ignored.
"We've been told that it's to make way for a refurbishment but who asked for the changes? I'm a member and a regular customer and I wasn't consulted. It's not necessarily what the customers want.
"I know it's not the most important issue but it matters to a lot of people here."
Julie's petition has so far attracted over 660 signatures with a number of people sharing their reasons for backing the campaign.
One person wrote: "My wee dad loves this place and is a regular customer. He is really upset about the closure as are many others, especially the elderly."
Another added: "This is a favourite of my mum in law who is 95. As others have said, it's a little community hub and meeting place, especially for older people who can socialise whilst getting their shopping done. Not everyone likes mass-produced fast-food-style places like Tim Hortons and Costa."
Another commenter said: "The cafe is a lifeline for the elderly. Some of the people that come here do so to speak to other people as its the only interaction they get as they live alone. I see the cafe as a vital part of the community and would be sorely missed especially by the elderly."
M&S has said the transformation marks a "significant investment" for the local area.
The refurbishment will created a fresh-market design and feature extended product lines, and a range of new features including an in-store bakery serving freshly baked breads, cakes, and pastries throughout the day.
Customers will also have the option to skip the queues and pay straight away with Scan & Shop, either with their mobile using the M&S app or with one of the hand-held scanning devices available in store.
Daniel Grime, Store Manager at M&S Bishopbriggs, said: “We were very pleased to hear about the transformation, and we can’t wait to unveil our new-look to our lovely customers later this year. Alongside an extended product range including more fresh fruit and veg aisles brimming with the best quality, trusted value produce grown by M&S Select Farmers and high-tech shopping options, we’re also designing a special feature wall that depicts local landmarks.
“Our Bishopbriggs makeover will deliver a bigger, better and fresher new-look food hall for shoppers and mark a significant investment for the local area. The way people shop is changing, and we are reshaping our store estate across Scotland to make sure we have the right design of stores in the right places. While these plans involve closing our in-store café, this allows us to transform the store to deliver the very best of M&S for our customers in Bishopbriggs, with a bigger range of iconic M&S product lines than ever before.”
To view the petition, click here.
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