A Kirkcaldy shopping centre faces “considerable challenges” in attracting new tenants, the town’s MP has said.
Roger Mullin has met with a representative of investment management firm Columbia Threadneedle, the owners of the Postings Shopping Centre, to discuss its future.
The meeting had been arranged after a number of traders within the town centre mall raised concerns about the lack of trade.
Businesses say that footfall has dropped by 50,000 people each week since the closure of the Tesco supermarket last year, placing a huge strain on the viability of some shops.
“What came across very clearly in the meeting was that there are going to be considerable challenges in attracting new tenants into the empty retail units,” said Mr Mullin.
“I think that there were a few areas in which the owners were not very clear with regards to how business works in Scotland, so I suggested sending them a briefing to broaden their understanding.
“The representative seemed to be happy with this suggestion, so I have sent him a briefing on the recently introduced powers for local authorities over business rates.”
Despite the intervention of several local politicians, Tesco closed its store in the town centre last April with the loss of 180 jobs.
Whilst delivering a huge blow to the shopping hub, The Postings, of which Tesco was a part, has been hit significantly hard.
Without the draw of the supermarket, the number of shoppers has continued to fall, increased further since the closure of the temporary Post Office several months ago, with the new outlet now based on the town’s High Street.
Commenting after the meeting, Mr Mullin said: “I intend to stay in regular contact with Columbia Threadneedle about this issue, and will try to encourage the firm to invest in the Postings.
“As it stands at the moment I am not hugely optimistic of much immediate change, however, I will assist them in any way that I can.”
A spokesperson for Columbia Threadneedle said: “We are committed to securing a tenant and are working with all stakeholders to ensure we find the best outcome for the centre as well as the local community.”