By Wednesday tireless campaigners had assembled close to 5,000 signatures for a petition to keep alive a Lumley Road institution which has existed since 1937.

Among those hitting the streets to save the shop and its 34 employees was Mayor Coun Sue Binch, who knows from personal experience the true value of a good garment.

"You can go to any old shop and get five pairs of knickers for £1, but they're not going to last very long are they?" said Mayor Coun Binch.
"Marks and Spencer is known for the quality of its clothing and its food.

"It's an icon of this town and I have very strong feelings about the topic."

Such is the public sentiment regarding the proposed closure, Mayor Coun Binch has referred the matter to next Wednesday's full meeting of the Skegness Town Council.

Both town and district council representatives have said they would like to see the financial figures determining the closure of the store.

A statement from M & S last week cited declining sales and profits, contending the operation was no longer commercially viable.

Spokesperson Amanda Glover said the Skegness store had 'reached a point in its leasing arrangement where it's decided whether to hand it back'.

Store insiders claim the London conglomeration which owns the M & S premises so far has refused to upgrade the facility and is charging higher than market value for the lease.

However Ms Glover denied the mooted closure was an attempt by M & S to negotiate itself a better deal.

"The lease is only a trigger for the timing of our announcement, not for the rationale behind the decision," she said.

"This is not a decision the company takes lightly and we will absolutely listen to any views and ideas which are put forward."

M & S executives were known to be visiting the Skegness store yesterday, shortly before town centre manager Stefan Krause met with organisers behind the protest petition.

Mr Krause's colleagues from East Lindsey District Council have cited conflicting figures showing that Skegness received 26 per cent more visitors last year than in the 12 months before.

At the time of announcing its proposed closure, M & S simultaneously advised of similar moves in Grantham, Scunthorpe and Nuneaton. Proposed closure date of the Skegness store is early 2011.

Those interested in petitioning can contact Jane Moore on 07884 144077 or Michelle Tonglet on 07912 093168.

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