TWO RS McColl's shops in West Fife are to close.

The outlets in the Kingsgate Shopping Centre in Dunfermline and at Regents Way in Dalgety Bay are among 132 of the "loss-making" stores across the country that will be axed.

It means the post office that's located within the Dalgety Bay shop will also close.

Morrisons bought McColl's out of administration in May, including 1,164 of the stores, but they have now decided that 132 have "no realistic prospect of achieving a break-even position in the medium term”.

It's put around 1,300 jobs at risk and those affected will be “offered alternative employment at a nearby store”.

The supermarket intends to convert the remaining McColl's stores into Morrison's Daily shops.

Local councillor David Barratt said: "I'm sorry to hear of the planned closure of RS McColl's in Dalgety Bay, having been saved from administration earlier in the year, which had given both the shop and the post office a lifeline.

"Owners Morrisons have said the store in Dalgety Bay will remain open through to the new year to avoid any impact around the Christmas period but that the store will close along with 132 other stores considered to be loss-making.

"As with last time, my first thoughts are for the staff. This will be a stressful time for them, especially now with the cost-of-living crisis really beginning to bite.

"And again, it should go without saying that a town the size of Dalgety Bay should have a post office.

"Myself and Cllr Sarah Neal will be writing to the Post Office, Scottish Government and UK Government to seek assurances that every effort will be made to ensure Dalgety Bay retains a post office in the longer term."

Morrisons convenience, online and wholesale director, Joseph Sutton, said: “We very much regret the proposed closure of 132 loss-making stores but it is, very sadly, an important step towards the regeneration of the business.

"I am confident that McColl’s can, in the Morrisons family, once again become a growing, thriving and vibrant convenience business serving local communities across the UK.”

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We regret to confirm that Morrisons have taken the difficult decision to close some McColl’s stores that hosted Post Offices, due to the unprofitability of the retail in that store, not helped by the difficult high street conditions facing retailers.  

“Morrisons have confirmed that they will keep Dalgety Bay branch open throughout the Christmas period and that it will close in the New Year.

"We will undertake an assessment of the local area and will be working closely with nearby postmasters to support them with the likely increase in footfall for both their Post Office and their own retail services and will review requirements for the local community. 

“Nearby alternative branches customers can use in the New Year include Inverkeithing and Crossgates which are both open six days a week.”