Glenrothes shortlisted as a 'carbuncle'
LOCALS are set to find out this week whether Glenrothes will scoop the accolade no-one wants - the 'Plook-on-The-Plinth' trophy, which was won by Coatbridge last year.
The town is among three, including Motherwell and New Cumnock, which have made the shortlist.
Altogether 10 towns were featured in a long-list of potential recipients after an initial round of online voting. Pre-judging then cut this to three towns and they were visited by a panel of experts.
Editor of 'Prospect' magazine and www.architecturescotland.co.uk, Gordon Young, said: "We are not interested in simply criticising deprived areas which are dismal through no fault of their own. We believe the truly depressing places are the ones which could be great, but are stifled by a lack of imagination, creativity and passion."
Referring to Glenrothes, judges said it had failed to 'move with the times', unlike other new towns, and that the Kingdom Centre felt like a 1980s time-warp.
The judges' view - that the town has not moved with the times - was echoed by town councillor Bill Kay.
But he said: "I do think the comments are a bit harsh. There is no question the shopping centre has not moved with the times and the comment that the Kingdom Centre is like an 80s shopping centre - while we may not like it - is a fact of life. But it is very clean and tidy as far as its appearance is concerned.
"This reinforces the need for a masterplan for the town centre and it may force the owners to take a long hard look to see what is needing done. But it is unfair to say Glenrothes is a dismal town.
"The council and the centre owners need to take heed of this and prepare plans to upgrade, improve and expand Glenrothes town centre."
In a website nomination from a member of the public, particular reference was also made to Tanshall.
The precinct was branded a 'concrete jungle with hardly any green open spaces and a lot of neds'. Another member called Glenrothes a town 'with no soul'.
But the comments have been described as 'grossly unfair' by chairwoman of 'Take A Pride in Glenrothes,' Margaret Reilly.
The move comes after the town was awarded the prestigious Rosebowl Trophy last year in the Beautiful Scotland campaign. Glenrothes beat off stiff competition to win the accolade which was given to the most clean, sustainable and beautiful community in Scotland.
Margaret said: "I think the town centre is looking good and I have definitely been in worse places. I don't know where this nomination has come from but it's a real shame people haven't taken a good look to see the improvements that have been made.
"There is a lot of development happening in Glenrothes just now with Sainsburys and Asda coming in, so it's not like we aren't doing anything to try and change things."
Mrs Reilly argued the Kingdom Centre is nice inside and outside and that it has won several safety and environmental awards in recent years.
She added "Glenrothes won the Rosebowl Trophy last year and judges don't just give awards to anyone.
''The judges are very vigilant - they looked at the town centre and the areas surrounding it - so to hear about this is very disappointing."
gaznews@fifetoday.co.uk
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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