The news that M&S is to close its Kirkcaldy store has come as a particularly bitter blow for one family.
Karen Adams and husband Tom, a former Fife Labour councillor, both lost their jobs three years ago when Tesco closed its store in The Postings.
Mrs Adams found work in the High Street M&S but is now left wondering what the future will hold.
“I was 25 years at Tesco and now this is the second time in three years,” she said.
“I am really vexed for all the people who have been there for years, they will be heartbroken.
“I feel for all the staff and customers – there are a lot of elderly folk who come in regularly, and what will they do?
“This is going to affected everybody on the High Street, this is the only food retailer left.
“It was bad enough when Tesco shut, but this is another devastating blow.”
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For Mr Adams, who led the campaign to save Tesco, the news was a bitter vindication of his belief the retail giant would pull out of the High Street once its Foodhall opened.
“I said it about Next opening on the retail park as well – when I was on the planning committee I moved refusal of both as I felt they were detrimental to the High Street.
“This is a big anchor store like Tesco in The Postings. When it went the whole pack of dominoes started to collapse.
“I am very disappointed but this was all predicted at the time.”
Kirkcaldy woman Isabel Thomson, 85, said the news was hard to believe, and even harder to bear.
She started work at the store in 1949, only retiring near 40 years later.
“I still go there often, and do a big shop, and I am talking about £60 to £80 once a month.
“I don’t know what I will do now.
“I don’t know what a lot of customers will do, they will miss it, not just the shop, but the chance to be social.
“I am devastated.”
