COWDENBEATH Councillor, Darren Watt, has said he is “extremely disappointed” and “downhearted” after Greggs officially confirmed their High Street shop will not re-open.

This comes just weeks after the Times reported that Councillor Watt was encouraging locals to sign an online petition urging Greggs to reconsider their decision.

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Councillor, Darren Watt said: “Despite gaining hundreds of signatures from residents, businesses and visitors in such a short period of time, I’m disappointed to say our efforts have been for nothing.”

He added: “I had written to Greggs asking to discuss this matter with the relevant person, however, they wouldn’t even entertain the suggestion. They simply said, they wouldn’t be able to communicate further about this as the decision has been made.

“I was quite astonished to be blown off in such a manner. By all means, if they weren’t willing to discuss the closure, I would have still liked to have asked what provisions have been put in place for the staff and what were the key factors behind their decision to close.”

According to Greggs' website, around 800 of their shops re-opened in the UK on June 18 the with more shops to follow suit during the first week of July.

Councillor Watt said: “Greggs has well over 2,000 shops throughout the UK and to lose one from our High Street is worrying.

"The ongoing Covid_19 crisis may well have played a huge part in their decision, but it is the not knowing that makes this harder to take in.

"We have seen a strong resurgence in investment and opportunities in Cowdenbeath and the surrounding area in recent years, and I sincerely hope this is a one-off occurrence. No one wants to see more doors being closed and subsequently more local jobs being lost.”

The councillor did add, however, that the town was none-the-less lucky, in so many other ways, and still have Bayne's and Stephen's shops, as well as Hugh Black's deli counter for bakery goods!