SUSAN Aitken said she is 'expecting' to meet Marks & Spencer bosses to discuss their plans for the Sauchiehall Street building.

The council leader took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the retailer's plans to close the popular city centre store.

READ MORE: Marks & Spencer Sauchiehall Street 'to close' permanently in Glasgow

Commenting on an article titled 'How the UK high street was hit by the pandemic," she said: "This piece helps explain why the disappointing news of M&S closing their Sauchiehall StREET premises could, done right, also be an opportunity to move Glasgow city centre away from past overreliance on a lot of ‘big shops’ to more mixed-use and more resilience, including for retail."

"Retail remains a very important sector for Glasgow and a big employer, particularly of women.

"Responding quickly to closures caused by structural changes affecting high streets can help remaining retail thrive but it needs different thinking about what Glasgow city centre is for.

On the potential closure of the store, she said: "I’m expecting to meet M&S very soon to get reassurances both about the Sauchiehall Street workforce & that their plans for the site will not leave it empty long term and are compatible with that understanding of what a more vibrant, people-friendly city centre looks like."