The much-anticipated Tesco store in Dunfermline town centre will open on October 23.
The Carnegie Drive store will help light up the town by giving funds to make sure the Glen Bridge is covered in festive lights.
There were Christmas lights along the length of the landmark bridge many years ago. More recently, however, it has been unadorned.
Richard Holligan, the corporate affairs manager for Tesco Scotland, said: “We’re pleased to be in a position to help Fife Council provide new winter and Christmas lights for around our store and the local area.
“We are providing the money to purchase the lights for the Glen Bridge, which will be there all winter long, along with a couple of special ornaments for the Christmas period.”
He said Councillor Helen Law, the chairwoman of the City of Dunfermline area committee, approached the supermarket giant with the request “and we were only too happy to help”.
“We’re really grateful to the people of Dunfermline, especially the local traders who have been so patient while the store has been getting built, and we wanted to give something back,” he added.
Mrs Law was delighted to hear of the contribution from the store. “I am really pleased,” she said. “We did feel there was an opportunity to work with Tesco, as they were opening their shop.”
The enhanced Christmas and winter lights scheme also fits in with a new Dunfermline initiative, Venture Street, a competition for entrepreneurs running in Bruce Street, near the Tesco outlet.
“We are hoping the Glen Bridge will be festooned with lights, which will be a welcome addition to all our winter lights.
“I am really grateful to Tesco for coming on board and supporting us in that venture.”
Once up and running, the store will bring more than 200 jobs to the town.
Store manager Richard Moir added that 64 of those taking up jobs had been unemployed for six months or longer before they were hired by Tesco.
In addition, 26 members of staff are being trained by Fife College to prepare them for their jobs.
“This is delivered through our regeneration partnership with Fife Council and Jobcentre Plus,” he said.
Mr Moir said everyone at the store is busy getting ready for the opening.
“Everyone is very excited about the store and can’t wait to get started working there.
“It’s really great that we’ve had such positive support so far from the council, the community and many of the local traders,” he added.
As part of the supermarket, there will be a family restaurant, Decks, serving food cooked fresh on the premises. It was this week granted a licence from Fife Council’s licensing board.
Tesco developed its restaurant concept to ensure its large stores are “compelling shopping destinations”.
The Decks in Dunfermline will be its 11th nationwide and the second in Scotland. The first in Scotland opened in Coatbridge last month and Mr Holligan said the company was very pleased with the feedback so far.
Picture by David Wardle