AS Cowdenbeath’s shopkeepers look to get footfall increasing after re-opening their doors to the public, the Fife Ethylene Plant has been getting behind the High Street and encouraging people to shop local and support their local traders.

The Times and local MP, Neale Hanvey, have been banging the 'Shop Local' drum over the past few weeks and this week the FEP stepped up the campaign.

The plant delivered dozens of bouquets of flowers, afternoon tea hampers and confectionery selections from three local shops to care homes and charities in the area to show their backing for local businesses and also thank key workers and volunteers.

Although part of a global company, FEP considers itself part of the local community, with its staff contributing a large amount to the Fife economy. It was keen to try to help other local businesses as they started back up again, and came up with the idea of supporting Cowdenbeath High Street by buying goods from local businesses to pass on to staff and volunteers who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic.

Over £1,100 of fresh flowers, food and confectionery were bought from Silk and Fresh Flower Pot, The Candee Man and the Sunshine on Beath cafe to be distributed among nine care homes around the plant.

These were Camilla House, Auchtertool; Roselea House, Cowdenbeath; Alexander House and Craigie House, Crossgates; Benore Care Home, Lister House and Robert Allan House, Lochore; Mossview at The Opera, Lochgelly; and Fernlea House, Cardenden.

The gas plant management said that the idea ties in with the message to 'shop local' being promoted by local politicians and the Times.

As well as thanking the dedicated workers who have helped ensure the safety and support of the people they look after during the coronavirus pandemic, the donations would hopefully have also help give a boost to the care home residents, many of whom were separated from their loved ones for several months.

And donations were also made to the Cowdenbeath distribution point for Dunfermline Foodbank; Fife Young Carers in Lochgelly and Home-Start Cowdenbeath.

Andrina from Silk and Fresh Flower Pot, said: “When we heard about this idea we thought it was really good and we were delighted to be involved.”

Gavin from The Candee Man, added: “It was a really nice gesture by FEP to think of doing this for the local community which is really in need of this sort of boost.”

And Pauline from Sunshine on Beath, said: “This is great and it’s come as a really nice time for us as we re-open the shop.”

Jackie Brown, manager at Camilla House, said: “A big thanks goes from staff and residents for the beautiful flowers and afternoon tea - it really brightened up a miserable day.”

Jacob McAlister, plant manager at Mossmorran, said: “We are glad to be able to help our local High Street in this small way, and we hope others do the same to help get businesses back up and running in what have been very difficult times.”