Kirkcaldy’s High Street has received a massive boost after one of its major retailers confirmed it will not be closing its town centre store.
Next has also confirmed to The Courier that its expanded outlet at the Fife Central Retail Park will create 85 jobs.
It is a major shot in the arm for retail in the town, after rumours circulated that the future of the High Street store was in doubt.
However, the company has delivered two pieces of good news in confirming that the two shops will co-exist and create dozens of new posts.
Bill Harvey, manager of Kirkcaldy’s Business Improvement District (BID) company Kirkcaldy4All, said the news was a huge endorsement for the High Street.
“It’s good news for the town centre,” he said. “Next is a destination shop and an anchor store in the High Street.
“I’m not sure of Next’s business plans but maybe they are diversifying into different areas, such as home furnishings instead of fashion. With the economy picking up, people can get spending more.”
The clothing and lifestyle retailer had signalled its intention to close its smaller, town centre store last year, after attempting to expand its current outlet at the Fife Central Retail Park.
The plans were unanimously rejected by local councillors, however, keen for Kirkcaldy High Street not to lose one of its anchor stores.
But in a new twist last month, Next confirmed it would take over three units at the retail park to create its first home, garden and fashion store in Kirkcaldy, after turning its back on a similar proposal in Dundee.
The move had raised fresh doubts over the town centre shop, but with the future now settled, Councillor Neil Crooks, the chairman of Kirkcaldy area committee, said he is delighted with the developments.
He said: “When Next showed an interest in Kirkcaldy, I was in discussion with council officers about the risks and opportunities presented by their proposal.
“We were assured at the time that the new superstore at the Fife Retail Park would have no impact on the Next store in our High Street and whilst obviously sceptical about that, our area committee are united about Kirkcaldy being open for business.
“As the plans emerged, it became more obvious that the new store was a new concept for the company in Scotland and had a different target audience than their High Street stores.
“Eighty-five new job opportunities with an expanding company creates security and I am delighted we have Next choosing Kirkcaldy as their investment location.”