Tesco has shelved plans for another multi-million-pound superstore in Fife, The Courier can reveal.
The supermarket giant announced it is pulling out of its commitment to open a store in Leven less than two years after it was granted planning permission.
The blow, which has dashed hopes for around 160 new jobs, comes less than a year since the firm pulled the plug on plans to open a store in Glenrothes which would have created 400 jobs.
Tesco has blamed changes in customer shopping habits for its decision, saying more people were choosing to shop online and in convenience stores.
It added that the decision in Leven was solely about that particular store and was not related to other proposals in Fife.
Tesco is not the only supermarket chain whose plans for stores across Courier Country have ground to a halt.
Construction has yet to start on Sainsbury’s site in Montrose almost three years after planning permission was granted, although the company has said it is still committed to the town.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s has ditched plans to build a new store in Perth following a legal wrangle over the city’s road infrastructure.
Fife Council has said it is bitterly disappointed by the Leven news and is seeking confirmation that Tesco will honour its intention to build a new supermarket in Cowdenbeath.
The local authority is also calling for assurances over plans by the company to extend its Cupar store and refurbish the Kirkcaldy supermarket.
Fife Council leader David Ross slammed the move, saying: “We are all bitterly disappointed at the news.
“It is the second time in a year a community has been let down, after the cancellation of the Glenrothes project.”
Mr Ross said the Leven store would have helped the economic regeneration of the area, brought new jobs and given shoppers more choice.
He added: “The council will still work to maintain a strong, long-term relationship with Tesco because they are an important retailer and one of the largest employers in Fife.
“But we need to hear from them they remain committed to their developments in the kingdom.”
Depute leader Lesley Laird acknowledged many people in Leven would feel frustrated and angry.
She said, however: “I’d like to give a reassurance we will do all we can to attract new interest to this site and continue to work to regenerate the area.
“Tesco may have moved on from Leven but the council has not.”
Local councillor Ally Hunter had mixed feelings about the news despite the loss of new jobs.
“It’s a relief that we won’t have a corporate retail giant moving in to put even more pressure on our local small businesses,” he said.