STORE wars have broken out in Dunfermline’s Kingsgate shopping centre after bargain shop Poundland relaunched its already cheap deals for 97p.

In May, the Press reported that the Co-op supermarket would close and be replaced by a 99p Store.

However, in what appears to be a price war, Poundland has now upped the ante by lowering its prices further – saving delighted bargain-hunters extra precious pennies.

Shoppers are already taking advantage and the deals prompted Ray Smillie, of Robertson Road, to contact the Press.

Ray, who was in “seventh heaven” over the low prices, said, “Only 97p for goods in Poundland and, even better, only 95p for items in the 99p Store.

“The latter shop was hoaching with thrifty Fifers looking for a bargain and I saved quite a few pennies on my purchases.” And with tongue firmly in cheek, he added, “Feeling quite happy with my shopping experience I thought I would venture out onto the High Street and check out Poundworld.

“You can only imagine how flabbered my gast was when I discovered they were charging a whole round pound.

“They should be ashamed and I, for one, will not be back until they lower their prices to 98p!” Jim McCarthy, Poundland chief executive officer, said the 97p price was among its “tactical options”.

He commented, “The 97p price point is currently being trialled for a limited time in Poundland Dunfermline.

“Poundland always aims to offer great-quality products for amazing value to all its customers.

“Like all retailers we test competitor response options all the time and that is just one of a number of tactical options at our disposal.” The Press approached Dunfermline Delivers for their views on the store wars and vision for retail in the city centre – readers have slated the “poor variety of stores” and voiced concern over the number of bargain stores in the High Street and Kingsgate.

However, the Dunfermline Delivers board declined to comment, saying, “We will be issuing a press release in the coming weeks which also touches on this subject.”