A Glenrothes supermarket is to close its doors next month, with the loss of 42 jobs.
“As a result shoppers are going elsewhere, with the end result being one of the key stores in the centre has now announced it is to close with a vast number of jobs lost. A lot of these employees will have worked for the company for a very long time and I would like to express my sympathies to them at this difficult time.”
Glenrothes MP Lindsay Roy said, “This is a devastating blow for the town and my heartfelt sympathies go out to all those affected and their families. The Co-op was one of the main businesses in the town centre and although poor trading conditions are being blamed for the closure I know that many people will miss the store.
“It is a very difficult time for retailers but I hope that those who are going to lose their jobs manage to find other employment locally as quickly as possible.”
The announcement that the Co-op is to close follows a recent announcement by Tesco that they plan to open a store in the town’s North Street in the near future.
Corporate affairs manager Gloria Coats told The Courier, “Following feedback from council officers, community groups and local people, we are currently finalising our plans to ensure that they reach their full potential.
“Our plans are looking to maximise the opportunities to improve the public realm at the rear of the Kingdom Centre, in addition to providing improved pedestrian routes throughout the site and develop the links to and from the Kingdom Centre.
“As I’ve said throughout the consultation process, we are committed to bringing a new Tesco store to Glenrothes.”
The Co-op, based at Marchmont Gate in the Kingdom Centre, has blamed its demise on “poor trading performance.”
Stunned staff were informed they would be made redundant at an emergency meeting with company bosses, where they were told September 24 would be their last day of work.
A spokeswoman for the Co-operative Group told The Courier, “I can confirm that its food store at Marchmont Gate, Kingdom Centre, Glenrothes, is to close on September 24.
“Staff at the store have been informed of the decision, which was taken with the greatest reluctance.
“The closure is due to the store’s poor trading performance and is not, in any way, a reflection on the commitment and hard work of the store team.
“Every effort will be made to redeploy as many as possible of the 20 full-time and 22 part-time staff with the Co-operative, or to help them find alternative employment.
“The Co-operative continues to operate other food stores in Glenrothes, at the Cadham Centre in Cadham, Peploe Drive in Pitcairn and the Claymore Centre in Finglassie.”
Store depute manager Willie Gardener said staff were extremely “downbeat and gutted” following the announcement, and Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP Tricia Marwick called it “a sad day for the town”.
Ms Marwick added, “The closure of the Co-op is an absolute tragedy for the workers involved and for their families. It is also a huge blow to the town and yet another example of missed opportunities at the hands of Kingdom Centre owners CIS/AXA, who have failed to retain shoppers by not refurbishing the shopping mall over the past 10 years.”
Continued…