Dunnes closure '“ questions asked over what will happen to site

It was announced last week that the store, the only one in Fife, would be closing on March 3. It is thought about 20 employees will be affected by the closure.

Reacting to the news, Councillor Ross Vettraino said it was “another sad episode in the history of the town centre”.

He added: “My thoughts go to the staff at the store.

“It also presents more difficulties to the owners of the town centre. It’s a huge store and a prime site.

“If a store can’t be successful there, one wonders if there is a solution at all.”

Cllr Vettraino said the issue of town centre store closures was not just a local one.

“Town centres will continue to decline unless the outlets where people want to spend money are located there. That’s not going to happen.

“But we are seeing a new development at Albany Gate. It will be interesting to see if this brings business back to the town centre. I look forward to that with interest.”

Glenrothes MSP Jenny Gilruth has written to the CEO of Dunnes Stores regarding the news the branch is to close.

In the letter, she wrote: “The closure of the store will lead to job loses in an area which direly needs more employment.

“In addition to this, there will also be a huge symbolism attached to closing the town centre’s largest unit. The week before you announced your closure, it was reported that 30 per cent of children in Glenrothes live in poverty. I truly believe that businesses like Dunnes have a social responsibility to the communities they serve.”

A spokesman for the Kingdom Shopping Centre said: “This news is hugely disappointing for the town, and especially for the dedicated team who have served the shoppers for many years.

“While the building remains in the ownership of Dunnes, we would be delighted to work with them to ensure the vibrancy of the centre is maintained and benefits the people of Glenrothes. This is not an isolated incident and follows the closure of several other stores in Scotland.”

The Gazette has contacted Dunnes for a response but has yet to receive a comment.