LOCHGELLY Centre has been closed for the foreseeable future through the coronavirus situation.

Since the updated advice this week from the UK and Scottish Governments for people to limit social contact to combat the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, ONFife has been reviewing how this impacts its services, customers and staff.

After consultation with Fife Council, ONFife has 'taken the difficult but necessary decision' to suspend until further notice all of the services - Libraries, Theatres, Museums and Galleries, Archive & Collections Centre, Retail Outlets, MAC, Mobile Libraries and Cafes - effective from Thursday March 19.

It means that the Centre is joined by the libraries in Cowdenbeath, Kelty, Benarty and Cardenden in closing.

"This is not a decision taken lightly, but these are unprecedented times and with the situation around Covid-19 changing rapidly, we have to prioritise the health and safety of our staff and customers," said Heather Stuart, ONFife chief executive.

"Our focus now is on the health of our staff and the wellbeing of our communities, and we will be turning our attention to exploring a range of innovative ways of adjusting our services so we can continue to offer our support to our customers and families at this very challenging time.

“We will continue to review the situation and Government guidelines in the coming weeks."

The situation has affected the new arrangement the Times has with the Centre where chief reporter Jim Stark is available to meet the public on a Monday and a Friday. So until the Centre re-opens Jim will be at the Times Office in Bank Street, Lochgelly, from tomorrow (Friday) from 1pm to 3pm.