Bethany Trust calls time on High Street shop

The shop, which was opened by the then Chancellor Gordon Brown, just two weeks before he became Prime Minister, ends nine years of trading in the town.

A sign thanking shoppers for their support of many years, was posted in the window last week, and while still to be cleared, the shop is now up for lease.

It is one of two in Scotland, along with an outlet in Aberdeen, which have closed as the trust seeks to focus on its remaining seven commercial outlets in the Edinburgh and Lothian areas.

“The decision to close the Kirkcaldy shop was a difficult, and one we didn’t take lightly,” Paul Drury, director of income generation, told the Press.

“We have had a long standing relationship with Kirkcaldy and we wish to thank not only the shoppers, but also the many volunteers that have supported us in those nine years.

“While we are refocusing our efforts elsewhere with respect to our shops, theTrust wishes to stress that we are in no way turning our back on Fife – quite the opposite.

“We remain committed too our long- standing project in Methil, which has the continued support of Fife Council and is continuing to go from from strength to strength.”

Of the two full staff members at the Kirkcaldy shop, one has since left with the other redeployed elsewhere within the Trust.

The Trust has confirmed it is to retain the building and and has already received a number of enquires from interested parties.