Marks and Spencer shelves plans for second Kirkcaldy store

Plans by Marks and Spencer to open a second store in Kirkcaldy appear to have been shelved.

The company has confirmed to The Courier that it has no intention to open one of its Simply Food outlets at the Fife Central Retail Park, despite much speculation that the company was eyeing potential locations at the complex.

This year The Courier revealed that M&S was keen to expand its presence in Fife, with the popular retail park thought to have been sounded out over a food-only store.

Two vacant units formerly occupied by JJB Sports and Comet were understood to have been under close scrutiny; however, these have both since been taken over by Next, which is in the process of establishing a giant fashion, home and garden store.

Whether these plans have forced Marks and Spencer to abandon its own plans at the retail park is unknown, although a spokesperson for M&S insisted that the company would continue to look for suitable sites.

“We do not currently have any plans to open a store at the Fife Central Retail Park, however, we are always looking for good store locations,” she said.