MSP calls on Kingdom Centre owners to visit Glenrothes

MSP Jenny Gilruth is calling on Mars Pensions Trustees, which owns the shopping centre, to visit Glenrothes this year, following a survey she did of local businesses.

She says that business owners raised a number of issues about the owners of the centre, such as poor communication.

Ms Gilruth said: “The findings of this survey were frankly appalling. I had constituents emailing in their dreadful experiences and I met with a number of business owners. One tenant has been in the Kingdom Centre for the past 26 years and yet has had no contact from the owners at all since Mars bought the town centre in 2013. That’s unacceptable.”

It is understood that demolition work is set to begin on Albany Gate this summer.

Ms Gilruth said she was unconvinced following a meeting with LaSalle Investment Management, which oversee the running of the centre of behalf of Mars.

“Businesses are being asked to move further into the town centre and in one case I know of the rent has more than doubled,” she said. “Mars are making money out of this demolition – the businesses of Glenrothes deserve better.”

A spokesperson for LaSalle Investment Management said: “We understand and appreciate the important role the Kingdom Centre plays within the community and we are committed to working closely with all local stakeholders. We continually look for ways to improve the centre and to provide a future-proofed shopping experience for the residents of Glenrothes.

“As part of this commitment, and following discussions with the local council, we have decided to remove one of the more dated sections of the centre which has fallen into disrepair. Instead, we will be providing additional free car parking which will significantly benefit shoppers and the town as a whole. This means that we will be relocating some of our retailers from the Albany Gate area into the main centre, giving them access to all the services that it offers. By seeking to relocate them inside the scheme there may be higher occupational costs overall given the improved environment and as a result we are working with the retailers to find a solution that works for all.

“We are responsible for handling all stakeholder relationships for the centre and are regularly meeting with our retailers via both our onsite and offsite teams.”