Business group says governments must invest in Kirkcaldy

Kirkcaldy should be supported with UK Government and Scottish Government investment, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Kirkcaldy High Street. Picture: George McLuskieKirkcaldy High Street. Picture: George McLuskie
Kirkcaldy High Street. Picture: George McLuskie

A new report urges the Scottish Government and the UK Government to direct the Scottish National Investment Bank and the UK Stronger Towns Fund respectively to invest in projects and properties that would boost Scottish high streets and town centres.

Kirkcaldy town centre has seen bad news with the impending closure of Debenhams while at least six bank branch, shop and local premises closures have been announced in the town by big businesses since the start of 2016. Across Scotland, the FSB has tracked 415 similar closures.

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Janet Torley, FSB’s East of Scotland Area Leader, said: “Almost 50,000 people call Kirkcaldy their home. But towns like this have recently faced real pressure from big business and public sector closures.

“That’s why FSB is calling on governments north and south of the border for long term investment in our local towns.

“The closures of big name stores in the High Street, combined with the growth of Kirkcaldy’s out of town retail parks and the collapse of major employers such as Havelock have created a major challenge for Kirkcaldy. The investment recently announced for the town by Fife Council from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund is a welcome starting point but sustained and strategic investment will be needed to turn around the fortunes of Kirkcaldy and other similar towns.”