The future of a Kirkcaldy shopping centre has been jeopardised by the withdrawal of its anchor tenant.
The number of visitors to The Postings has slumped since Tesco closed in April and there are a number of empty units.
With the two biggest remaining tenants about to see their leases expire, fears have been expressed that they may also move out.
One local councillor said that could sound the death knell for the shopping centre.
Neil Crooks, chairman of Fife Council’s Kirkcaldy area committee, said: “Leases for the two mainstays, Lloyds and Farmfoods, are coming to an end and we’re keeping a close eye on it.
“If they were to go, The Postings wouldn’t have any future in the immediate to short term.”
Mr Crooks told The Courier that the number of passengers arriving at Kirkcaldy bus station had dropped by 18% in the wake of Tesco’s closure.
The Postings car park, once the busiest in Fife, now lies practically empty.
Those who are still coming are tending to bypass The Postings to go straight down to the High Street.
The uncertainty has thrown into doubt whether a £95,000 renovation of The Postings steps will now ever go ahead.
“Habits have changed,” said Mr Crooks. “Even elderly people who used to use Tesco have migrated to Marks and Spencer or along to Morrisons so there is a big question mark hanging over The Postings.
The councillor called on Postings’ owner Threadneedle to speak to Fife Council to discuss their plans.
“It would be useful for Threadneedle to get in touch to tell us if there has been any interest in the Tesco building,” he added.