ANOTHER long-standing business in Dunfermline’s town centre will be closing its doors at the end of this month but its owner insists that the area still has a great future ahead of it.

Premier Health Foods has been trading for 25 years on Bridge Street and it’s not the only business to shut up shop in recent months.

On the same street, the owners of popular gift shop Pink String and Sealing Wax announced last month they were calling it a day after 29 years, while Cafe Giacomo’s owners have also retired, although new buyers have taken over there. 

Premier Health Foods owner Stuart Coates, who will be retiring, told the Press: “I’ve had the place up for sale for 12-15 months but there has been no interest in continuing the shop as a health food store.

"But it’s not full of doom and gloom! Dunfermline has great potential with all the building that is going on. 

“There will just be a different cycle of business coming in. 

“There will be 8,000 more houses and a new bridge that will make everyone want to come to Fife. The prospects are enormous!”

Mr Coates started his retail career as a manger in Woolworths before selling health foods and supplements at the Carnegie Leisure Centre. 

He then went on to a shop in Pilmuir Street and made his final move to Bridge Street, trading for quarter of a century. 

He continued: “My daughter was into gymnastics at the time so I thought I would help her with nutrition and it went from there. 

“I’ve really enjoyed working in retail, I’ve had some fabulous customers and it been a pleasure to serve them over the years, some have even become friends.

“I must admit it has been tough doing retail here and Tesco hasn’t exactly helped but I think the town has a great future.”

Mr Coates said he won’t be hanging up his jacket just yet and will still very much be involved in the Abbeyview Community Council and Forum.