Comment: Town centre must tap into lockdown's 'life is local' impact

The Fife Free Press’ opinion column this week reflected on the loss of three High Street stores – and the road ahead for our town centre.

The closure of more shops in our High Street isn’t the news this town needed as it prepares to emerge from lockdown.

It is sad to see Clarks and H. Samuel depart, but decisions taken by head offices many miles from here are hard to influence.

There may be more losses yet as retail comes to terms with a pandemic which has decimated trade.

Our focus has to be on what we can control and influence.

If lockdown has done anything remotely positive, it is to emphasise the ‘life is local’ message.

For the past three months we have stayed close to home – there has been no alternative – and many have rediscovered all this town has to offer.

If we match where we live with where we shop, socialise, eat, relax and share, then a re-imagined High Street has a very different , and potentially very positive future.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/civic-conversation-acts-kindess-heart-kirkcaldys-community-2874683

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/column-lets-start-civic-conversation-kirkcaldy-town-centre-after-lockdown-2846096

We knows its shortcomings and we know the legacy of previous short-sighted decisions – but we have to change the narrative.

Lamenting what we had can evoke great memories, but it can also be a barrier to what happens next.

Nostalgia for a golden era won’t lay the foundations of a town centre fit for future purpose.

The frustration is that there are more organisations and individuals than ever trying to forge a new rhetoric only to be de-railed by news of a closure.

That work, those debates, and all the exciting plans still need to deliver tangible benefits.

Kirkcaldy is a town centre in need of some quick wins as well as a renewed sense of civic pride.

Lockdown makes the former tough, but the latter, possibly easier.

People care about their town centre. They want to see a vibrant place where people work, live and socialise.If we can create that then the Clarks and H. Samuel may indeed return …

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Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press