More Shops For Fife Town Centres

Fife could be getting two new shopping centres if plans are approved.

A property developer wants to build them in Cupar and Cowdenbeath, on sites which had previously been earmarked for Tesco stores.

The development at South Road in Cupar would have five shops covering 41,000 square feet, while in the High Street in Cowdenbeath there would be two stores totalling 48,000 square feet.

The sites were bought from Tesco by Glasgow-based London & Scottish Investments in August, after the supermarket giant decided not to use them. Now the firm has submitted plans to Fife Council.

Group Development Director Bryan Wilson said: "The economic redevelopment of these vacant sites will be fantastic news for Fife as we expect hundreds of new jobs to be created as a result.

"We are now in advanced discussions with a number of food and non-food retailers to occupy these developments and hope to be able to announce these in the near future. Subject to receiving all necessary consents, we intend to start construction work on site immediately."

The news has been welcomed by Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath MP Roger Mullin, who said: "Any development is very importanrt, particulary one which looks as if it will bring a significant number of jobs.

"If it is as successful as developers hope it will be, it could well bring three figures worth of jobs.  To an area such as Cowdenbeath that would be a tremendous asset."