THE old Farmfoods store in Inverkeithing is up for auction.

The building at 73-75 High Street has been placed on the market at a guide price of £165,000.

It has been described as a "prominent" commercial premises within Inverkeithing town centre with a rental potential of £25,000 per year.

If no offer is accepted, it will go up for auction in Glasgow in February.

When asked by the Press if there had been much interest in the property, auction house Future Property Auctions would not say but confirmed there had been 600 page views online for the premises so far.

The building has been vacant since Farmfoods closed last month.

The Press reported that staff had told customers that the lease on the High Street store was due to run out on November 11 and the new owners of the premises were no longer willing to rent it out for retail space.

However, this was not backed up by Farmfoods, who were unwilling to comment.

The news came as a shock for many residents who relied on the store for shopping.

Concerned customer John Lloyd said the place was not just a shop but a "community hub".

Farmfoods has been on the High Street in Inverkeithing for at least 20 years.

The shop space is reserved for a retail unit only under Fife Council planning conditions.

Councillor Alice McGarry said: "It is really sad that the owners and Farmfoods showed no dedication to Inverkeithing.

"People are still not happy and it is really disappointing.

"They tell me they are missing getting their Soleros there!

"The nearest one to us now is Cowdenbeath.

"Hopefully, someone will take it over and make something of it.

"It's a big shop but it is next to the Hat and Ribbon which needs a lot of work done to it so I fear interested parties will be put off.

"It'll be a shame if this part of the High Street in Inverkeithing is vacant when there are exciting plans for the square over the next few years."