STV NewsPeople in Kirkcaldy are being asked to help shape the town centre’s revamp as part of plans for the UK Government’s £20m Growth Mission Fund investment.
Fife Council was awarded funding last November to transform Kirkcaldy’s town centre and waterfront, create jobs and support new community and business developments.
Currently the high street has more than 40 empty shops and locals say action is needed.
“My mum and gran used to get all dressed up to have a walk down the shops but nobody cares about it anymore,” one local mum said.
“Sad? It makes you mad,” a 94-year-old resident told STV News.
“It was beautiful. It had everything you needed. It’s been left to go to pot.”
One couple simply described the state of the town centre as “terrible” and “disgusting.”
Some residents questioned why work has yet to begin several months after the funding was announced.
STV NewsHundreds of people have visited the Adam Smith Theatre to view proposals for the long-term redevelopment of Kirkcaldy town centre and waterfront.
Much of the plan aims to reconnect the high street with the waterfront, attract more visitors and remove buildings seen as barriers to regeneration.
Plans focus on creating a multi-use community and growth hub, building an esplanade park, improving active travel links and redeveloping gap sites such as the former Postings shopping centre.
Although Kirkcaldy secured £20m in funding last autumn, work has yet to get under way.
The team behind the regeneration project says that is because they want to consult local people before finalising the plans.
Convener Ian Cameron is leading efforts to breathe new life into the town centre.
STV NewsWhen it comes to the decline of the town centre, he says the council cannot be solely to blame.
“I don’t accept that as being fair,” he said.
“The current state of the high street is difficult to accept, but that is where we are in terms of retail.
“We were very successful in the retail environment we had before, but with that came the challenge of dealing with the decline of retail.
“All retail environments are struggling with the same problem. We need to work hard to reactivate spaces and make them leisure and cultural destinations.”
He believes the high street will be fully regenerated within five years.
STV News
The councillor argues the £2.5m demolition of the concrete car parks dubbed the “Ugly Sisters” has improved development prospects and property values in the town centre.
Missives have also been signed for a £35m apartment complex to be built on the site where Tesco once stood, a development he says will help restore footfall.
“That will generate demand, and supply will follow,” he added.
He pointed to plans for a hotel, a national visitor attraction and a new linear park as examples of projects that could help transform the area.
“When we were awarded the £20m, we brought focused thinking to the high street and waterfront.
“We’ll have a hotel and a national visitor attraction that will help make Kirkcaldy a cultural centre and put it back on the map.
“We’re looking at a linear park with a café, toilets and play areas for children.
“This would provide the initial conditions for investment and help attract further investment later on. But we needed to take the views of local people into account.”
The Transforming Kirkcaldy Town Centre and Waterfront consultation closes on September 7. Residents can view the proposals and complete the consultation online.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
