A DUNFERMLINE institution for almost a century, the Andrew Thomson electrical and furniture shop is another high-profile victim of the effects of coronavirus and will close its doors at the end of the month.

The High Street store that started off in the 1930s has been struggling to buy in stock after manufacturers across the world ground their production lines to a halt due to lockdown restrictions.

Business owner Iain Thomson, who has been working at the family firm for more than 40 years, told the Press: “Since April there have hardly been any products available to buy in.

“There have been other factors too, including the demise of the High Street, and for years there have been extortionate rates which makes businesses unviable.

"Stopping cars coming through has also made a difference.

“Unfortunately my brother Jim passed away in August too so there have just been a number of things affecting the business.”

Even now, nearly eight months after the outbreak of the pandemic, conditions are still affecting shipping and operations across the industry, with supplies delayed or just not available.

The business continued to sell right through lockdown with their online store but stock dwindled down without being replaced and it got to the point they decided they couldn't go on.

Iain added: “Covid has been a major problem for everyone.

“We were able to keep going through the lockdown but we sold our products and couldn’t get any more. It’s the knock-on effects.

“We’re not going to see any improvement for a long time.

“Now people are working from home too so you won’t even get office workers coming in. There are definitely going to be more casualties on the High Street."

The closure of Andrew Thomson's store will be the final chapter in a long running success story that began before the Second World War.

The company began to grow after it was opened in 1930 by Iain’s grandfather.

The Dunfermline store has moved several times including stops at old James Street and Bonnar Street before going to High Street.

Success led to expansion and, at its height, Andrew Thomson's had branches in Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh too, while it also became the top retailer for Hi-Fi’s and Panasonic products in Scotland.

Iain’s uncle Jim branched out and started what was Thomson's World of Furniture.

“My grandad saw a gap in the market and he started by selling accumulators which charged batteries for your radio,” Iain said.

“From there they started selling electrics and branched into furniture.

“I only came to work here for two weeks originally when I was 23 and I’m 65 now so it’s been a long time!

“We’ve had a lovely response from the public and that’s what I’ll miss the most – the interaction with clients. Some have been with us for 50 years or more."