In the 18th century the site was the home of Kirkcaldy MP James Oswald and his house remained intact until the early 20th century when the Kirkcaldy & District Co-operative Society was opened in 1907. Fifty years later work began on a major refurbishment and extension, completed in 1960, making it one of the most stunning buildings in the town centre. Disaster struck in April 1975 when the entire four-storey building was gutted by a fire which caused £1m of damage, to be replaced by an ugly, modernist 70s block which opened as the Central and East Fife Co-op in 1977. As shopping habits changed, the Co-op finally closed its doors in 1992 and for a time, the building was home to a furniture and carpet retailer, but was eventually demolished in 2008 and the site has remained empty ever since, despite a number of plans over the years to make use of the space. Read a more detailed history of the site HERE.