No surprise - a sign of the times for retail: Readers react to WHSmith closure news in Kirkcaldy

The news was confirmed on Wednesday, sparking renewed debate on the road ahead for the High Street - and how the long established retailer had felt outdated.

While many readers commenting on our Facebook story said they were sad to see it go, few were surprised at the news.

They said the shop had been quiet for too long - and many said it didn’t inspire them to visit.

Some lamented the loss of another big retail name while others pointed to the many new independent businesses which have been moved into the heart of the High Street.

Here are some of your views:

Beverley Sanaghan: Sadly a sign of the times. If you can get something cheaper online you’ll buy there.

The way forward is to support local independent traders, and reduce rates if they’re still high. Possibly thinking out the box too - housing in some units, kids indoor play area (BHS old site would be perfect) bringing people down to the High street.

I definitely see a vision of more a local niche market for the High Street. Similar to Burntisland’s set up. They’ve got cafes but also studio spaces for community use, local butchers and grocers. Set the local market on Fridays up in empty units, and re configure the larger units to smaller ones to encourage usage?

Ian Thomson: I’m not surprised, particularly when it was like a lot of branches, really dark inside and not very inviting. The branches in Dunfermline and Glenrothes are spared because they have the main Post Offices.

WHSmith confirms closure of Fife High Street store

Elaine Noble: When I was a kid this was my favourite shop. Of course it was John Menzies then.

Bobby Scott: WH Smith is a very expensive place to shop. They’ve been going downhill for years. This closure isn’t a surprise because they’ve done nothing to stay relevant to consumers.

John Emery-Baker: I agree with all the comments about turning into a ghost town, but I was in Burntisland last week and its High Street is vibrant.

There were people queuing for the fish shop, the bakers and the butchers. Maybe what's wrong is that we assume High Streets need all the big names, when really we all buy that stuff online.

Niall Fotheringham: There’s very few large retailers left on the High Street and those stores are too big for smaller retailers and specialty stores. The owners should sub divide the stores agree better rates for smaller businesses to take them over. Parking prices with the council should also be negotiated down.

Conrad Sutherland-Dunn: If they stopped charging you to park downtown it could entice more people.

Paul Stenhouse: Everyone saying the High Street is dead havent been down recently, Food market every Frida - there are more shops opening than closing! New bike shop, two new cafes, a furniture shop where pancake used to be. a new big shop called Freshways. Take a walk down.

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