The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Committee in search of high street success
Burntisland High Street is thriving despite the rise of online shopping and out-of-town retail parks.
The Scottish Parliament’s economy and fair work committee asked what the key was to the high street’s success when MSPs visited the town yesterday.
The committee is in the middle of an inquiry into Scotland’s town centres and the changing face of retail and, as part of that, it is keen to know how the growth of e-commerce is impacting businesses.
Committee convener, Fife Labour MSP Claire Baker said: “Businesses are having a tough time with the pandemic, combined with online sales.
“We’re interested in finding solutions and will make recommendations to the Scottish Government about what needs to be done.”
Unlike neighbouring Kirkcaldy, Burntisland High Street has never relied on national retailers for its success. It is full of small, independent businesses.
According to the town’s award-winning butcher Tom Courts, much of the success is down to the shop owners themselves.
He said: “If you go back to 2015 you would see tumbleweed blowing up and down the town centre.
“But we were quite fortunate that a few businesses came and opened up at the same time, ourselves included.
“There’s footfall here and between us we were able to offer a range of produce that appeals to people, good value and excellent quality. We all worked together and supported each other.”
Tom added: “It’s a real success story.
“We have a lot more footfall now than before the pandemic because we were keyworkers and stayed open.
“But we also do well online and I think that’s the key.”
Toni Crickmar of Burntisland gift and interiors shop Bel and Etta agreed.
Toni said: “We work with (online homeware shop) Nkuku and they tag us in a lot of their stuff.
“That’s brought a lot of custom into the shop.
“Online works for us because when things are quiet in store you’ve always got a back-up.”
The economy and fair work committee has also visited high streets in Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Hamilton and Dumfries.
Ms Baker said: “It’s interesting because online sales are often seen as a competitor to the high street but many businesses are doing both.
“We came to talk about e-commerce but it’s also good to see Burntisland High Street, which has a lot of elements we see as positive.
“There are independent businesses as well as residential buildings on the High Street.
“These are things the committee sees as important to having a good high street.”