Stuart’s Bakers and Butchers is to close four of its shops in Fife.
Staff have been informed of the decision to close the branches, some of which it has operated since the 1950s.
The four branches to close are:
- High Street, Kirkcaldy
- Methilhaven Road, Methil
- Bonnygate in Cupar
- Glamis Centre, Glenrothes
The company owns the Kirkcaldy, Cupar and Glenrothes premises, which will continue trading until they are sold.
The Glenrothes unit is rented and its lease will not be renewed.
Stuart’s Bakers MD explains closures
Stuart’s has operated out of Methilhaven Road and Kirkcaldy town centre since 1950, while Cupar has been part of its footprint since the 1960s.
Managing director Keith Stuart, the sixth generation to run the business, said it was a difficult decision.
He said the 15 staff who work across the four shops, will not lose employment but be redeployed elsewhere in the business.
He said: “The shops are just not performing as well as they used to.
“Our main focus used to be our own shops but we have rapidly grown the wholesale business to the likes of Spar and Scotmid.
“It means the products that would be available in our shops, they sell for us.”
No redundancy pledge
Pre-Covid Stuart’s had 16 premises. The new closures will leave three butcher/baker outlets remaining in Lundin Links, Leven and Buckhaven as well as the bakery shop at Methil Docks.
Another shop, at Durie Street, Leven closed before Christmas.
“The shop’s we’ve closed didn’t contribute enough to the business,” Mr Stuart adds.
“Covid forced our hand. It was so uncertain how we were going to get through it. We had to make decisions to safeguard the company.
“We didn’t make anyone redundant that time round and we won’t this time round.”
Meanwhile Stuart’s is planning to invest in extending its bakery in Methil.
Stuart’s Bakery was established in 1857, beginning its operations in Buckhaven.
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