Kirkcaldy coffee shops re-open as lockdown restrictions ease

Kirkcaldy High Street’s newest coffee shop Bob & Berts is just one of a number in the town which re-opened its doors today and welcomed customers back in as lockdown restrictions eased.
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The Northern-Ireland based coffee chain had been open for takeaway only but today it was able to fully open up to allow customers through the doors once again along with other coffee shops in the High Street which have been closed for the past four months.

Supervisor Lauren McDonough said: “It’s great to see regular customers back again and to see people’s smiling faces! It has been a long time coming and going to be so good seeing our regulars again.

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"We have had a week of training and have deep-cleaned the store in preparation for welcoming customers back and extra cleaning protocols and sanitisers in place for covid.”

Lauren McDonough, supervisor and Lee Watson, kitchen porter at Bob & Berts in Kirkcaldy High Street.Lauren McDonough, supervisor and Lee Watson, kitchen porter at Bob & Berts in Kirkcaldy High Street.
Lauren McDonough, supervisor and Lee Watson, kitchen porter at Bob & Berts in Kirkcaldy High Street.

Kitchen porter Lee Watson added: “It is good to see our regular customers in and people happy to come and sit in to enjoy food instead of just taking food away. We are looking forward to welcoming people back into Bob & Berts.”

Bob & Berts is just one of a number of local coffee shops and non-essential retail shops which have been able to re-open today under Level 3 guidelines.

Suzie and John Dempsey enjoy a cuppa indoors at Cupcake Coffee Box which opened on Monday. Pic: Fife Photo AgencySuzie and John Dempsey enjoy a cuppa indoors at Cupcake Coffee Box which opened on Monday. Pic: Fife Photo Agency
Suzie and John Dempsey enjoy a cuppa indoors at Cupcake Coffee Box which opened on Monday. Pic: Fife Photo Agency

Cupcake Coffee Box also opened its doors on Monday. The coffee shop had a makeover during the second lockdown to prepare for customers returning this week.

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Gerry Booth, assistant, said: “We were very busy on the Monday morning and customers were really pleased to be able to come back into the shop. It has been great to see all our regulars back too. Quite a few have said they haven’t been out for months so it has been good for them to have some interaction again.

"I have been furloughed for the past year so it has been good for me to get back into a routine – it's great to be back at work.”

The 3 Beans Coffee Company, based in the new Enlightenments enterprise hub in Merchants Quarter also welcomed customers back yesterday for a cuppa indoors.

Brenda and Alan Tait at The 3 Beans Coffee Company cafe inside the Enlightenments hub. Pic: Fife Photo AgencyBrenda and Alan Tait at The 3 Beans Coffee Company cafe inside the Enlightenments hub. Pic: Fife Photo Agency
Brenda and Alan Tait at The 3 Beans Coffee Company cafe inside the Enlightenments hub. Pic: Fife Photo Agency

And just a few doors down Merchants House Cafe re-opened to customers after serving takeaway coffee, cakes and other savoury treats during the lockdown.

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Ricky Barclay, who owns the cafe with his wife Marzena, said Monday’s re-opening went well: “We had a nice relaxed atmosphere yesterday and it was great to finally invite our customers back inside to be our guests!

“We have upgraded the furniture inside and made the cafe more comfortable and made a bit more space as well as giving the cafe a bit more character.

“We are very much looking forward to staying open now. The last few months have been a challenge but our customers have been fantastic and gave us huge support which was very appreciated indeed. We are looking forward to the summer months now."

Cafe regular Kathleen Gibb being served by Merchants House Cafe owner Marzena. Pic: Fife Photo AgencyCafe regular Kathleen Gibb being served by Merchants House Cafe owner Marzena. Pic: Fife Photo Agency
Cafe regular Kathleen Gibb being served by Merchants House Cafe owner Marzena. Pic: Fife Photo Agency

Also opening this week are pubs, restaurants, gyms, clothes stores, car showrooms, electronic goods shops, bookmakers, toy shops, florists and gift shops. Close contact services such as beauty salons can also reopen, in addition to public buildings such as galleries, museums and libraries.

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