Local Businesses Affected By Bridge Closure

Fife Retailers react to the emergency closure of the Forth Road Bridge

Retailers in Fife may have issues with delievies but could benefit from extra footfall following the closure of Forth Road Bridge. 

With a 50 mile diversion route and lengthy queues Fife residents may decide to shop locally.

We spoke to Peter Mitchell, Director at Puddledum Food company in West Fife and he hopes that it may mean Fifer's shop closure to home in the next few weeks as emergency repairs continue.

Mr Mitchell, who rears livestock on the farm and has craft butchery, smoke house and bakery, told us it is about making the best of a bad situation. 

"We are hoping as a significant local food producer in this area, that we'll benefit from customers looking to shop closer to home in the run up to Christmas, a few of our shops have asked if we'd be able to supply more product as it's likely their usual sources will be delayed coming from the south. 

We also have a shop 5 miles from the bridge at Dunfermline which benefits from passing trade on the M90 approach, this is normally our busiest weekend with orders coming in for Christmas so we're hoping there will more people staying in Fife than heading over to Edinburgh.

There isn't anything we can do about this,  so it's looking at how we can plan better and make the best out of a bad situation. It is worth remembering it has been closed for our safety but it is horribly inconvenient as it is.  There are many people and businesses which will struggle in the next 4 weeks at a busy time of year which can already be stressful enough."