DISCOUNTED and free parking is not the “silver bullet” that will help Dunfermline and other town centres in the Kingdom to recover fully from the pandemic.

Fife Council have admitted it'll take more than that to entice shoppers and visitors after incentives tried out in Kirkcaldy failed to deliver sufficient economic benefits.

The convener of the City of Dunfermline area committee, Councillor Helen Law, said: "This has been a long-awaited report and I do think the impact of COVID will undoubtedly have had an impact on the result.

"It is true to say that we need to ensure that as Dunfermline re-opens, the town is as attractive as possible to tempt folk back for retail and leisure, and there will be many issues going forward, including parking.

"I also think that a Dunfermline solution to parking needs to now be considered by the local councillors."

Over the last two years, free parking days, the removal of Sunday charges, 'free after three' evening discounts and cut-price season tickets were trialled in Kirkcaldy in a bid to improve footfall.

However, a report by officers concluded the schemes didn't justify the financial hit taken by the council to enable them.

Council transport chief Derek Crowe told a committee: “It’s very popular to talk about removing charges, giving free things, reducing charges, but they are not sustainable in this financial climate.

“The biggest lesson we learned is that car-parking is secondary to the wider placemaking and town centre strategy approach.

"That’s the way for the future, as opposed to looking at car-parking as some form of silver bullet, which it certainly isn’t.”

Dunfermline North councillor Gavin Ellis said: "Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline are two very different towns in regards to what they offer residents.

"Pre-pandemic, Dunfermline had a vibrant nightlife which was safe and successful and one we need to ensure we get the support out to during the recovery.

"While Kirkcaldy has had to deal with a major out-of-town-centre retail park, Dunfermline has managed to hold on to some of its most popular town centre retailers, bucking a trend across Scotland.

"That being said, it’s a shame to see the loss of stores such as Debenhams and it should act as a warning that the economic damage isn’t over yet."

He added: "It’s my belief, and one I have supported through the Dunfermline Press and their Keep It Free campaign, that the removal of the Sunday parking charges is something our businesses and residents would like to see.

"I would like to see the area committee explore what more can be done to assist our town and its recovery from schemes such as parking to licensing and safe outdoor spaces for our hospitality premises, as it falls on us all to grow the conditions and encourage new retail into our town.”

Lib Dem councillor for Dunfermline South, James Calder, said: "Businesses have struggled due to the effects of the pandemic.

"While I understand that parking charges bring in revenue to the council, we need to reform how it is done and listen to the needs of local businesses.

"I would urge the council to take the time to see what we can do, whether this means certain days where parking is free or allowing people to park for free for short periods of time.”