Eight-screen cinema back on agenda for Kirkcaldy

The ongoing saga over proposals for a cinema in Kirkcaldy has reared its head again with the news that a planning application notice has been lodged with Fife Council.
An artist's impression on how the proposed new cinema complex for Kirkcaldy could lookAn artist's impression on how the proposed new cinema complex for Kirkcaldy could look
An artist's impression on how the proposed new cinema complex for Kirkcaldy could look

The document gives notification of the applicant’s intent to seek major planning consent in the future.

And a public exhibition outlining the plans for the former swimming pool site on the Esplanade, which, as well as an eight-screen cinema would include four restaurant/bar units, is set to be held in the Mercat shopping centre on March 24 and 25.

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Previous plans, the first a decade ago, have failed to come to fruition, despite a strong will by the council and other bodies in Kirkcaldy.

Despite being justifiably met with a dose of cynicism, Councillor David Ross, leader of Fife Council, described the latest idea as “credible and realistic.”

“I really welcome this proposal from LaSalle Investment Management, that could deliver an exciting major town centre re-development scheme,” he said.

“Whilst this is at an early stage and there’s no guarantee, at this stage, that it will go ahead, we have been working with LaSalle over the last few years, and I believe their proposal is credible and realistic.

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“This proposal has the potential to deliver real economic benefits to the town centre and the wider community in Kirkcaldy. It would provide another significant sign of positive change in Kirkcaldy, as well as providing the potential to roll out further investment across the town centre.”

Councillor Neil Crooks, chairman of the Kirkcaldy area committee, added: “Fife Council and the Kirkcaldy Ambitions Partnership Group have made substantial investments to date in revamping the Kirkcaldy Galleries, new High Street public realm, improvement to the Esplanade multi storey car park, reduced car parking rates, installation of town centre WiFi, new signage and interpretation boards, the opening of the Adam Smith Heritage Centre and work to maximise the potential of Kirkcaldy’s waterfront,” he said.

“We hope that this important work will continue to act as a catalyst for other new town centre regeneration projects to come forward that enhance Kirkcaldy’s night time and leisure offerings.”

David Henderson, chairman of Kirkcaldy West Community Council, said: “we look forward to this potential redevelopment of such an important site in our town centre and would hope that such an investment there will regenerate the area.”

A planning application for the scheme is expected to be submitted to Fife Council in Summer 2017, subject to any issues that may arise from the pre-application notification process.