Tesco has indicated it is continuing to explore options for its Kirkcaldy store.
The town’s MP, Gordon Brown, and Fife Council leaders have put together an economic case for the chain to retain its Hunter Street branch. They held a crunch meeting with Tesco chief Dave Lewis on Monday.
Tesco dismissed an earlier financial package put forward by the council, stating it was not enough.
While it confirmed it is still working towards closure on April 4, it issued a statement suggesting it is listening. A spokesman said: “We were pleased to meet Mr Brown, welcome the response of the local council and continue to explore options whilst maintaining the closure timetable.”
Tesco announced in January the Kirkcaldy branch is one of 43 unprofitable stores to be axed, with the loss of 189 jobs.
Amid fears about a devastating impact on the town centre and the loss of a social lifeline for vulnerable, elderly people, a campaign was launched to try to persuade Mr Lewis to change his mind.
It is understood Tesco pays an annual rent of around £720,000 and £700,000 in rates and Mr Brown said if those figures could be reduced, it would make a difference.
Threadneedle Investment, which manages the Postings Shopping Centre, said it had already offered a rent reduction.
Mr Brown said more evidence would be presented to Tesco at the start of next week.
He said: “We are trying to ensure the economics stack up for Tesco to stay in Kirkcaldy.
“We are talking to them about how their overheads can be less, but we also want to persuade them that there is a future for them in Kirkcaldy. The population is going to rise, there are more students than ever before and there will be more houses in the town centre in coming years.
“We have already persuaded them the Post Office should stay and now we have to persuade them they should stay. It’s the effect on the whole town centre that’s the issue. There are too many shops at risk if Tesco goes.”
It was revealed on Monday that Tesco had agreed the Post Office in the store could remain until at least December.