Kirkcaldy’s main post office will remain accessible despite the impending closure of Tesco, it has been confirmed.
With just two days to go before the town centre supermarket closes for the last time, little preparatory work has been done to maintain access to the town’s postal hub, which is situated within the same building.
However, a Tesco spokesperson has given assurances that customers will still be able to access the service from both Hunter Street and The Postings when the retailer moves out.
He said: “The post office will close at 6pm on Saturday and re-open on Tuesday following the Bank Holiday. Access will be restored from both Hunter Street and The Postings.”
A spokesperson for the Post Office added: “Customers should be assured that the Post Office is committed to maintaining services to customers in Kirkcaldy and has appointed a temporary postmaster to operate Kirkcaldy post office from its current location in The Postings.”
Meanwhile, a local business leader believes that Kirkcaldy’s shopping public is not to blame for the closure of Tesco.
Bill Harvey, the manager of Business Improvement District (BID) group Kirkcaldy4All, said that changing shopping habits and Tesco’s expansion policy had prompted Saturday’s shutdown.
“This is the cycle of business,” he said.
“I don’t think that Kirkcaldy should feel responsible for the loss of Tesco. We have done everything that we can to support them for the past 30-odd years.
“It is the Tesco business model that has resulted in this, by not taking into account Aldi and Lidl or other European retailers.
“We have changed our shopping habits as well.”
It is understood that many of the staff have found new jobs, although a number are expected to stay on as the store is decommissioned in the coming weeks.
A total of 179 personnel have been affected by Tesco’s decision to quit the town, despite a high-profile campaign to save the store.
“We as a town will get over this,” added Mr Harvey.
“A lot of work is being done behind the scenes in terms of encouraging more local people and visitors to come and visit what is still Fife’s main retail centre.”