Mystery surrounds the long-term future of one of Glenrothes’ major companies after Fife Council announced plans to move into the firm’s current site over the coming years.
Assurances are now being sought from online retailer Amazon.co.uk that it plans to remain in the town following news that the council has agreed to buy the building it occupies at Bankhead Park.
The local authority announced last week that it wants to turn the former ADC building into a super depot for central Fife, bringing together a number of services.
This will allow the council to sell off or terminate the lease of eight buildings it uses and generate millions of pounds of savings and revenue.
With Amazon.co.uk continuing to run a distribution centre at the site, council officials have stressed the move will not take place immediately.
However, question marks have been raised over Amazon’s future in Glenrothes, and indeed Fife, with the council and the firm still in talks over what options are available to the retailer.
Pressed by The Courier on its plans, a spokesman for Amazon.co.uk would only say, “We are in discussions with Fife Council regarding options for the future.”
Central Fife MSP Tricia Marwick is now seeking a firm commitment from Amazon bosses that it plans to continue its presence in the area and safeguard jobs.
“My hope is that Amazon will stay in the town and there are jobs that depend on that,” she said.
“I wrote to Amazon asking them what their intentions were and whether they could offer any assurances, but as yet I have not had a reply.
“I understand that Amazon and the council are talking together, and although I don’t know the nature of those discussions, if Amazon has a continuing commitment to Glenrothes, then I would expect that the council would pull out all the stops to ensure that that happens.”
Depots at Ashley Road, Poplar Road and Faraday Road in Glenrothes, Riverside Road and Station Road in Thornton, two yards in Kirkcaldy and one in Methil are all expected to be consolidated through the move.
The council expects to save more than £1.25 million in running costs each year and generate millions more from the sale of buildings, with council leader Peter Grant hailing the purchase of the building as a “great investment.”
“This building’s location, as well as its flexible space and layout, makes it ideal for a number of council services currently housed in accommodation that’s no longer fit for purpose,” he said.
Mr Grant also described Amazon, which employs more than 100 people, as an “important local employer” and confirmed discussions about the firm’s future are ongoing.