A Glenrothes club involved in expansion plans for the town centre has poured scorn on Tesco’s interest in the site.
The supermarket giant confirmed this week it is lining up a rival bid to become the focal point of the Kingdom Shopping Centre’s planned extension this after many months of protracted talks between Sainsbury’s and centre owners AXA/CIS about the site.
Despite Tesco’s interest, though, members of CISWO (Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation) in North Street said they are firmly focused on seeing through the original Sainsbury’s plan, which will see their club relocate to new premises around the corner.
David Nelson, speaking on behalf of CISWO, said Tesco had been interested in the site several years ago but eventually decided not to pursue its interest.
“We’re not interested in Tesco,” he said. “They walked away from a deal seven years ago and as far as we’re concerned we’re happy to go ahead with Sainsbury’s.
“We’ve already done a deal to move from our current site and a contractor is already in stripping out our new site, so we’re just continuing with that as far as we’re concerned.
“I don’t think Tesco’s application should delay what’s happening with us but we’re just opposed to Tesco coming in and trying to hold things up in the town centre.”
The Kingdom Centre’s expansion will see CISWO and Glenrothes YMCA/YWCA in North Street demolished, while the vacant Glenrothes House block will also come down.
A number of different land transactions to facilitate the centre’s expansion have already been approved by councillors, under which CISWO will be relocated to the former Forum Hotel.
The contractor, Skene, is already working on the building in preparation for CISWO’s move, while the YMCA/YWCA will move to a purpose-built site nearby which will be leased from Fife Council.
To address issues raised about parking, the Kingdom Centre owners also want to buy the council’s overflow car park in Flemington Road and form a new car park on undeveloped land adjacent to Glenrothes police station, which will be accessed via a new roundabout on Leslie Road.
Despite Sainsbury’s repeatedly stating it is committed to coming to Glenrothes, no land deal for the site at the Kingdom Centre has yet been completed between an individual retailer and AXA/CIS prompting Tesco to declare its interest in moving to the area.