The Mercat Shopping Centre

Coordinates: 56°06′36″N 3°09′29″W / 56.110°N 3.158°W / 56.110; -3.158

The Mercat Shopping Centre

High Street Entrance
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 - including surrounding areas - accounts for at least 30% of all the floorspace in Kirkcaldy town centre, which in total is 46,000-square-metre (500,000 sq ft) and providing as much as 200 shops, making Kirkcaldy the largest shopping area in Fife. ^[1] The shopping centre was built in two phases between 1972 and 1981-83 with a refurbishment completed in 1997.^[2] A proposal to extend the shopping centre for a third phase is pending. In 1996 plans to broadcast an episode of Family Fortunes live from the Mercat Centre were scrapped due to concerns that the event would not be covered by the Centre's insurance company. Les Dennis described the decision as "unfortunate, but sadly unavoidable".

The site has been owned by City Site Estates since 2005 after being disposed of by GA Capital who bought over previous owners, Haslemere Estates Management Ltd.^[3]

History

Kirkcaldy Town council considered a controversial redevelopment of Kirkcaldy town centre in January 1964, which was only passed by a narrow margin, after a fiercely contested public inquiry. A plot of land situated between the High Street and the Esplanade was purchased in April 1964 for demolition as the new site of the shopping centre.^[4] Four Streets consisting of Market, Cowie, Rose and Thistle were all lost.^[5]

First phase

Construction of the shopping centre was supposed to commence building work in Autumn 1967, but the project was delayed until the early 1970s.^[6] Work finally began on the first phase of The Mercat in 1971 - and buildings numbered from 94-112 in the High Street including the birthplace of Adam Smith, were demolished.^[7] This was to contain initially 29 units, a major department store and one multi-storey car park - for completion in 1972.^[7][8]

Second phase

The success of the Mercat, prompted an extension which was given the green light in 1978.^[9] The extension dubbed "Mercat II" was built, alongside a second multi-storey car park, by Michael Laird and Partners between 1981 and 1983. The Car Park, despite only been two storey, was known for presenting a deep roof, identical dormers and separated wrought-iron inserts on the wall.^[10]

Third phase proposal

A second extension for the Mercat is being planned to be built at the earliest opportunity if permission is granted by Fife Council. This would result in the demolition of either or both of 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.^[11][12]

References