DUNFERMLINE Delivers says the town is bucking national trends after four new businesses opened up since the new year.

Two new companies have established themselves in Chalmers Street while another two are now based near the Mercat Cross in High Street.

Dunfermline Delivers Bid Manager Lisa Edwards said: “Town centres throughout the country find trading conditions challenging just after Christmas but we’ve seen several new businesses open in the new year.

“Earlier this month, the Kingsgate Shopping Centre also reported footfall was up 7.1 per cent year-on-year in January, a contrast when compared to the rest of Scotland, which is down by 4.3 per cent, while across the UK, there’s a 3.1 per cent drop.”

Stewart and Lynva Forrest celebrated the opening of their new eaterie, Cafe Wynd, recently.

After years spent studying a degree in film, and roles in location management, for productions such as Outlander, Stewart is returning to a former life in the cafe and restaurant business.

Previous stints in the catering business include cooking for the boutique hotel restaurant, No 11 Brunswick Street in Edinburgh, and for Harvey Nichols’ brasserie.

Lynva is responsible for the interior and the couple hope to offer a simple dinner menu on certain evenings while hosting private functions is another longer-term plan. 

In the meantime, the cafe menu offers a full breakfast, lunch menu and homemade cakes with gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Sonia Harris Interiors has returned to the town and opened in Chalmers Street 14 years since she opened her first shop in Maygate.

“I’m really happy to be back in Dunfermline,” said Sonia. “For the last three years, I’ve been in Aberdour but Dunfermline appeals because of the better footfall and loads of parking in the Glen Bridge car park behind the shop.”

As well as stocking home accessories, Sonia provides a design consultation service, soft furnishings, curtains, blinds, upholstery, furniture and lampshade-making.

As featured in recent weeks in the Press Business pages, Donna Gilchrist’s new venture, Baby Scan Studio, has opened in Chalmers Street. Donna, a midwife, who works part-time for the NHS, has been overwhelmed with bookings from future grandparents and parents.

And the Press has also reported on Aileen and Tristan Wright, owners of Sew Yarn Crafty, who opened their second shop, the Sew Studio, in the High Street at the end of February.