AN "active interest" in the empty Debenhams unit in Dunfermline is given cause for optimism to the Kingsgate Centre manager.

The retailer announced it was to close all of its stores at the beginning of the year with closure announcements coming from Top Shop and Thorntons soon after.

However, with restrictions having further eased this week, Neil Mackie said they were "cautiously" looking forward to the coming months.

"We have had casualties like Debenhams and Arcadia like every shopping centre has been faced with but first and foremost we are making progress," he told the Press.

"We do have active interest which is encouraging in the market place.

"The great consolation we can take out of this is we are still performing strongly. If we can hold our own in the face of adversity that everyone is face with, that is a good thing."

With the whole of Scotland going below level zero on Monday, Mr Mackie said shoppers wouldn't notice too much of a difference when visiting the centre.

"Realistically, very little is changing," he added. "We are keeping restrictions like signage in place. It is great as a country we are making that advance. We are just keeping pushing on in a positive way."