Fears for the long-term future of Leven town centre have emerged following the collapse of a local institution.
Clothing retailer Cumming, a landmark in the town since 1879, went into administration along with its sister store Sphere and Turret on Wednesday.
The demise of the store was lamented by community leaders, who have voiced further concerns over the future of the local town centre.
Councillor Tom Adams, chairman of the Levenmouth area committee, said that he sympathised with the affected staff.
“It’s a devastating blow for Leven’s high street,” he said.
“It was an ‘Are You Being Served’ sort of place and when I was a kid I would go there to get my school clothes.
“We got some good news with Wetherspoons saying they are opening here but this has brought us back down to earth.
“When I lost my job with Tesco in Kirkcaldy at least I knew it was coming and I could prepare, but this happened so suddenly.”
He added: “We have to keep on going and encourage people to our high street.
“Leven is still open for business.”
Sphere and Turret called in administrators BDO on Wednesday.
Based in Methil, the company had branches throughout Scotland, including Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Broughty Ferry, Forfar and Arbroath.
However, it is believed that the first that staff knew about the closures was when the shutters came down mid-morning on Wednesday.
Fellow local councillor Alistair Hunter added: “I’m gutted for the workforce and for Leven.
“It’s a hammer blow for our already beleaguered town centre.
“Cummings has been part of Leven since 1979 and will be a loss to the community. I’m making arrangements to meet with the company to see if there are any options available that can support the workforce and company.
“I have agreement from Peter Grant MP and Fife Council to support me in this process.
“It may already be too late but I have a duty to the area to try everything possible.”
Yesterday, BDO told The Courier that compensating creditors would now be a priority as the business was wound up.
Bryan Jackson, BDO business restructuring partner, said: “Unfortunately difficult trading conditions significantly affected the business and the company is not in a position to continue to trade.
“It is therefore with great regret that all stores operated by the company will close and the joint administrator’s objective will now be to maximise value from the company’s assets for the benefit of all its creditors.”