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Proposals Take Shape for Kirkcaldy

Proposals that could secure exciting shopping and leisure developments for Kirkcaldy are being taken forward by Fife Council as part of Kirkcaldy Renaissance plans to transform the town centre and waterfront.

A number of key sites have been examined for their development potential as part of the Kirkcaldy Renaissance master planning exercise. Developers are interested in two sites at Charlotte Street and Tolbooth Street.

As part of a review of car parking, the surface car parks at Charlotte Street could be freed to enable the site to be developed into a cinema. Initial market testing of whether or not there would be developers interested in taking forward this opportunity has proved positive. One possible proposal might involve development of a multiplex cinema, boutique hotel and residential apartments on the site.

While discussions remain at a sensitive stage, Fife Council has now agreed to offer a 12month lock out period to allow an experienced London based leisure/cinema developer and operator to secure planning consent for the project. The move is a step towards bringing a high quality cinema and leisure development to the esplanade.

Building on retail opportunities in Kirkcaldy has been another key aim of Kirkcaldy Renaissance. Fife Council remains interested in the potential to extend the Mercat Shopping Centre. Discussions to achieve this are being led from the Council by King Sturge. It is possible that an extension to the retail centre could include either extensive refurbishment or total replacement of the existing multi storey car parks to allow more use. The proposals would also include improvements to the area around the car parks to provide safe access to the cinema and high quality public space.

Fife Council’s Corporate Asset Manager, Alan Paul stressed that negotiations on both of these potential developments were at an early stage. He said:”Kirkcaldy has been eager to attract developers into prime sites like the esplanade. While we are hopeful of taking forward both these plans, there is still a long way to go involving some sensitive and complex negotiations.”

Chair of the Kirkcaldy Renaissance Partnership, Peter Kearns added:”It is encouraging that developers are interested in taking forward our vision for improved leisure and shopping in the town. Whatever the outcome of these particular development opportunities we will remain focussed on working together to deliver projects that will revitalise and transform the town.”