A public meeting has been organised as campaigners look to save Colchester’s High Street branch of Marks and Spencer.

Sarah and Maarten Westera, who have organised a petition called Keep Colchester High Street M&S Open, have arranged for a meeting in the café at Firstsite on Sunday, April 10, at 11am for those who wish to continue supporting the campaign.

So far, the petition to keep the High Street Marks and Spencer open has reached approximately 2,400 signatures.

There was widespread dismay at the announcement of the store’s scheduled closure, with both Colchester Council and Will Quince MP voicing their disappointment about the decision.

Read more:

• Petition urges M&S to scrap closure plans for Colchester store

• Reaction: Colchester's High Street Marks and Spencer to relocate

• Colchester town centre can be saved, says council

In an online post on change.org, Sarah Westera – who has organised the petition – said the closure of M&S would be detrimental to the environment as shoppers would have to drive to the out-of-town retail complex in Stanway.

But she has organised Sunday’s meeting in order to garner further public support to keep the current Marks and Spencer open.

She said: “We never expected so much support, and as a result of this we're arranging a meeting in the cafe at Firstsite on Sunday 10th April at 11am for anyone who wants to continue this campaign.

“We have invited the boss of M&S and some other influential people.”