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Kirkcaldy rally held over Tesco closure | Kirkcaldy rally held over Tesco closure |
(35 minutes later) | |
Dozens of people have held a rally in a bid to persuade Tesco to do a U-turn on closing its Kirkcaldy superstore. | |
The Valentines Day "Tesco Have a Heart" protest, hosted by Fife Council, took place in the town's square. | |
However, The Courier reported that despite a proposed rescue package Tesco said the store would still make a loss and plans to close it were going ahead. | |
Tesco announced last month that the store, which employs 189 people, would be among four Scottish stores to shut. | |
The others are in Edinburgh, Troon and Grangemouth, with Kirkcaldy the biggest of the four. | The others are in Edinburgh, Troon and Grangemouth, with Kirkcaldy the biggest of the four. |
The move by Tesco, which would see the Kirkcaldy store close in April, was part of UK-wide plans to reduce costs. | The move by Tesco, which would see the Kirkcaldy store close in April, was part of UK-wide plans to reduce costs. |
Shutting the Kirkcaldy store would also mean the closure of the town's post office, which is based within the supermarket. | Shutting the Kirkcaldy store would also mean the closure of the town's post office, which is based within the supermarket. |
Public meeting | Public meeting |
Campaigners are urging Tesco boss Dave Lewis to consider a £750,000 rescue plan that has been drawn up by the council and local MP Gordon Brown. | Campaigners are urging Tesco boss Dave Lewis to consider a £750,000 rescue plan that has been drawn up by the council and local MP Gordon Brown. |
Speaking ahead of the rally, council leader David Ross said it had been arranged following the "unprecedented turnout" at a public meeting earlier this month. | Speaking ahead of the rally, council leader David Ross said it had been arranged following the "unprecedented turnout" at a public meeting earlier this month. |
He added: "Many local residents and businesses voiced their concerns about the potential closure of Tesco Kirkcaldy and the impact this could have on the town centre. | He added: "Many local residents and businesses voiced their concerns about the potential closure of Tesco Kirkcaldy and the impact this could have on the town centre. |
"That's why we want as many people as possible to join us at Saturday's rally. We need to show Tesco that their Kirkcaldy store isn't just another supermarket; it's a hub for a lot of vulnerable members of the local community." | "That's why we want as many people as possible to join us at Saturday's rally. We need to show Tesco that their Kirkcaldy store isn't just another supermarket; it's a hub for a lot of vulnerable members of the local community." |
Mr Brown is due to meet Mr Lewis in London on 23 February to discuss the rescue plan. | Mr Brown is due to meet Mr Lewis in London on 23 February to discuss the rescue plan. |
The former prime minister said he had put new financial figures to Tesco which suggested there was a case for reconsideration | The former prime minister said he had put new financial figures to Tesco which suggested there was a case for reconsideration |
He added: "What really concerns me is that if we create a hole in the high street by losing the biggest superstore in the town then all the other shops in the area will suffer." | He added: "What really concerns me is that if we create a hole in the high street by losing the biggest superstore in the town then all the other shops in the area will suffer." |