Controversial plans that could pave the way for an out-of-town Marks and Spencer store in Kirkcaldy have been approved, raising new fears for the future of the town centre.
The retailer now seems almost certain to open one of its Simply Food outlets at Fife Central Retail Park after councillors granted the site owners permission to expand food sales at the complex.
Members of the council’s central area planning committee approved the measures yesterday after an extensive discussion, centring on the potential impact should a new store prompt M&S to close its High Street branch in the future.
Despite assurances from the company that the town-centre store will not close, committee chairman Tom Adams said he could not support any project that could take business away from the town’s traditional shopping hub.
A former employee at the recently-closed Tesco store, said: “I fought to keep Tesco because I felt that it was important to the vitality of Kirkcaldy town centre.
“Since it closed I know that footfall at the post office has dropped dramatically as people jump into their cars and go where there is free parking. We must protect our high streets.”
Planning officers had advised rejection of the proposed variations, that will allow for 900 square metres of convenience food sales to be introduced at the retail park, up from 63 square metres currently.
Hammerson, the site owner, has indicated the new conditions will allow Marks and Spencer to locate one of its Simply Food stores in the area.
Councillors were told that a second M&S in the town would result in a “trade diversion” from the current High Street branch of around 10%.
While officers believe this would not threaten the economic viability of the town-centre outlet, they did state fears it could eventually lead to its closure, despite assurances to the contrary from the retailer.
Kirkcaldy councillor Neil Crooks was the first to speak in favour of the planning application.
Despite leading efforts to regenerate the town centre, he defended the current state of the shopping precinct and said that there was an overwhelming need for more convenience shopping for residents.
“A lot of housing has appeared and a gap has appeared that means that there is a reason for changing the conditions,” he said.
“The experience of the retail park is different to that of a pedestrianised town centre.
“It’s not a town centre that is on its knees. It is not dying.
“We all saw the reaction of people when they were fighting for Tesco.
“That showed the heart for the town centre. It will not fall off the map.”
A statement from Marks and Spencer welcomed the committee’s decision, with a spokeswoman adding an assurance the town-centre store would be retained should the Simply Food outlet proceed.
She said: “We are pleased that planning has been granted. The proposed new store will complement our presence in the town centre and will allow us to meet the needs of our customers who want to do their food shopping locally.”