MISSING – THE OWNER OF GLENROTHES TOWN CENTRE

Published date : 15 Sep 2017

Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has lambasted Mars Pensions Trustees Limited, the owners of Glenrothes Town Centre. The Kingdom Shopping Centre has been owned by the company, who also own the Mercat in Kirkcaldy, since 2013. Jones Lang LaSalle are the managing agents for the Mars Group. Ms Gilruth commented:

“As we approach the 70th anniversary of Glenrothes I’d like to know exactly what investment Mars Pensions Trustees are putting into the town. As the MSP for Glenrothes I am surprised not to have received a single communication from the company. I have left the Managing Director, Simon Usher, countless voicemails. I have written to the company. I have even tweeted their Managing Agents – but to no avail. As the MSP for Glenrothes I don’t think that’s good enough.

“Mars Pensions Trustees own the civic space of our town – it’s about time local people found out exactly what they’re doing to attract inward investment and jobs to Glenrothes.”

Jenny Gilruth MSP raised the issue of private company ownership of town centres directly with the Scottish Government Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart MSP, during Wednesday’s Scottish Parliament debate on Housing.

Ms Gilruth has now secured a meeting with Mr Stewart as a result.

“I am delighted the Minister has agreed to meet with me to discuss the future of Glenrothes Town Centre. The Government should be looking critically at the issue of privately owned Town Centres across Scotland –I recognise this is also the case in a number of other New Towns.”

The Scottish Government recently submitted proposals targeted at transforming the planning process – whilst supporting business and working alongside communities. Legalisation is due to follow this winter.

The MSP has now pledged to write to every business in the Town Centre to find out how Mars Pensions Trustees Limited supports existing businesses and communicates with their tenants.

ENDS

Local Reporters, East Fife Mail, Glenrothes Gazette, COMMUNITY, LOCAL BUSINESS