The Mercat Shopping Centre
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| The Mercat Shopping Centre | |
 High Street Entrance |
|
| Facts and statistics | |
|---|---|
| Location | Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Address | Management Offices, High Street |
| Opening date | 1972 1983 (extension) |
| Developer | Michael Laird & Partners (extension) |
| Owner | City Site Estates |
| No. of stores and services | 63 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 3 |
| Total retail floor area | 20,000 square metres (230,000 square feet) |
The Mercat Shopping Centre is located in Kirkcaldy, the largest town in Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom. The Mercat has three anchor stores; Marks and Spencer, Bhs and TK Maxx. The Mercat has been owned by City Site Estates since 2005 after being deposed of by GA Capital who bought over previous owners, Haslemere Estates Management Ltd. [1]
Contents |
[edit] The Mercat Construction
Kirkcaldy Town council pondered a controversial redevelopment of Kirkcaldy town centre in January 1964, which was only passed by a narrow margin, after a fierce public inquiry. A plot of land situated between the High Street and the Esplanade was purchased in April 1964 for demolition. This was going to be the site of the new shopping centre. [2] Four Streets consisting of Market, Cowie, Rose and Thistle were all lost. [3]
However, the shopping centre was supposed to commence building work in Autumn 1967, but the project was hindered until the early 1970s. Nonetheless, work finally began on The Mercat in 1971 to contain initially 29 units, a major department store and one multi-storey car park. [4]
[edit] Extensions
[edit] Second Phase
The success of the Mercat, prompted an extension which was given the green light in 1978. [5] The extension dubbed "Mercat II" was built, alongside a second multi-storey car park, by Michael Laird and Partners between 1981 and 1983. [6] Although this did prompt anguish over the lack of empty spaces in the new extension, since it was now being felt that there were now too many shops for the capacity of Kirkcaldy Town Centre. [7]
[edit] Mercat refurbishment plan and new units
A refurbishment of The Mercat was completed in 1997. [8] This included the replacement of dark panels and a new logo (still in use,) which consists of a red and blue seagull. The former Tesco unit was broken up into three units, including a new Woolworths store, the first in Kirkcaldy for nearly 20 years.
[edit] Third Phase proposal
A second extension for the Mercat is being pended to occur at the earliest opportunity if granted by Fife Council. This would result in either the demolition of both The Mercat and Thistle Street Car Parks so the centre can expand over the site or a possible refurbishment. This could significantly boost Kirkcaldy's current shopping facilities.[9]
[edit] The Forum Centre
There also used to be a small shopping mall known as The Forum Centre which included a newsagents, a joke shop, knick-knacks and a small food court with seating was removed when it became the new site of a two storey TK Maxx store in 2000. Some of the more successful shops relocated in Kirkcaldy town centre, although others closed for good.
[edit] Car Parks
[edit] Mercat Car Park
The Mercat Car Park, situated on Tolbooth Street, has restricted 9-6 weekdays parking and a free Sunday parking policy. The Car Park, despite only been two storey, is known for having a deep roof, identical dormers and separated wrought-iron inserts on the wall. [10]
Fife Shopmobility have a basement unit located within the second floor of the car park, as part of their commitment in Kirkcaldy Town Centre. [11]
[edit] Thistle Car Park
Thistle Street Car Park was built on the site of what was once Thistle Street in the town centre and whilst located at the back of The Mercat Car Park provides an access to both the swimming pool and main shopping centre. The Thistle Street Car Park may along with The Mercat be demolished as part of Kirkcaldy's ongoing Waterfront project, if the plan is approved. [1]
[edit] Shops
[edit] Current Shops
The Mercat, caters for a substantial piece of the shopping facilities in the town. Many of the shops that are represented in the centre include: Woolworths, Boots, HMV [12], The Present Shop, Clinton Cards [13] , Poundland [14] and Superdrug. A precinct, surrounding the shopping centre, contains Argos, Vision Express and Clarks.
[edit] Developments
Fast food chain, Subway are to open a kisok branch, sometime by the middle of May. A new unit has been poised by JJB Sports and will be expected to open at a later date.
[edit] References
- ^ Where now for £40m town plaza - Fife Today
- ^ Fife Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More
- ^ Fighting for the forgotten streets of old Kirkcaldy - Fife Today
- ^ Fife Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More
- ^ Fife Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More
- ^ Pride, Glen L (1999), The Kingdom of Fife Second Edition, The Rutland Press, Page 55, IBN 1-873190-49-2
- ^ Fife Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More
- ^ http://www.csrs.ac.uk/Datasets/Scotland_ShoppingCentres.pdf
- ^ A New Cinema In Heart Of Town - Fife Today
- ^ Pride, Glen L (1999), The Kingdom of Fife Second Edition, The Rutland Press, Page 55, IBN 1-873190-49-2
- ^ Fife Shopmobility : Home
- ^ Multimap.com - Find Your Nearest HMV Store!
- ^ Store Locator - Clinton Cards
- ^ Poundland Midlands, North, Scotland, London, Wales UK
