Exclusive look at new life inside vacant Glasgow Marks & Spencer

Dozens of artists have moved into the Marks & Spencer shop on Sauchiehall Street as part of a new project.

The former department store is currently occupied by over 80 artists who are using the shop floor areas and offices as studio space.

Artists include Beth Shapeero, Fibi Cowley, Nicola Atkinson and Pablo Llopis among many others.

Beth Shapeero & Nicola Atkinson (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Beth Shapeero (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Nicola Atkinson (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Curious visitors will be able to see the project for themselves next month as part of the Doors Open Day weekend.

An exhibit, titled Please Pay for your Shopping Before Entering the Toilet, will be held between Friday, September 15 and Sunday, September 17.

The residency is made possible by the charity Outer Spaces, which connects artists with empty buildings.

Outer Spaces has been operating since January 2023 to allow artists the unique opportunity to access temporary low-cost studio space.

The former M&S was a landmark on the shopping street since it first opened in 1935 before closing permanently in April 2022.

Artists, pictured from left- Pablo Llopis, Beth Shapeero, Nicola Atkinson and Fibi Cowley (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Beth Shapeero (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

We reported in June this year that final plans had been submitted by Fusion Students to transform the unit into 634 student residences as part of a £76 million revamp.

To find out more about the exhibit, click here.