FIFE Council Leader David Ross has asked for an assurance that Tesco will go ahead with their planned store in Cowdenbeath.

Mr Ross on Monday said he was, “bitterly disappointed,” that Tesco will not proceed with their proposed Leven supermarket store, following receipt of written confirmation from Tesco.

Councillor Ross slammed the decision and is now calling for commitment from Tesco on other projects in Fife.

He said, “We are all bitterly disappointed at the news, particularly as it comes in the same week as the highly successful opening of the Dunfermline store. It’s also the second time in a year a community has been let down after the cancellation of the Glenrothes project.

“The Leven store would have helped the economic regeneration of the area, brought new jobs and helped give shoppers more choice.

“I’m writing to Tesco Chief Executive, Dave Lewis, to seek an assurance they still intend to move ahead with their plans for other areas of Fife, including the Cowdenbeath store, the extension of the Cupar store and the refurbishment of Kirkcaldy.

“The council will still work to maintain a strong, long term relationship with Tesco because they are an important retailer and one of the largest employers in Fife. But we need to hear from them they remain committed to their developments in the Kingdom.” Depute council Leader Lesley Laird, spokesperson for Economy and Planning added, “Tesco took on 60 long term unemployed people through Opportunities Fife for their Dunfermline store, which gives an indication of the important role socially responsible employers like Tesco can have in the local economy and the boost they can give to employment.

“We realise this news will no doubt leave many in the Leven community frustrated and angry, but I’d like to give a reassurance we will do all we can to attract new interest to this site and continue to work to regenerate the area. Tesco may have moved on from Leven but the council has not.” The Cowdenbeath store project is well advanced in that the phase to replace North End Park with a new football complex in Lumphinnans, is well underway.

Once that is completed work on constructing the new store at the north end of High Street, is expected to begin.