From a Palace in Burntisland to a pile of rubble after 25 years

A demolition team moved in to finally knock down the former Palace Cinema which had stood empty on the street for 25 years.

In March of that year it had been ruled a danger to public safety by Fife Council and was served with a Dangerous Buildings Notice.

The move was widely welcomed by frustrated locals who were sick of the sight of it, though there was some regret that its art deco facade couldn’t be saved.

Ron Blanchard, secretary of Burntisland Community Council, said: ”I’m saddened that it has come to this state of affairs where the whole building has to be demolished.

”If action had been taken years ago all of this could have been avoided.

”I hope that this time the plans will be accepted by planners and locals because now we will have a gap in the middle of our High Street, and it needs to be filled with something which is in keeping with the area as soon as possible.

”I think locals will accept this and will be delighted to see the whole situation moving forward.”

The Palace Cinema Picture Palace as it was originally called had first opened in 1939 and was a popular venue right through until the 1970s, until the emergence of television as a force started to take its toll on the number of visitors.

In the early 1980s it served as an amusement arcade but a fire in 1985 completely destroyed the entire building, with the exception of the external walls and facade.

And there it lay for the next quarter of a century as no decision could be made on its future, leading to much frustration in the town.

Fife Council had begun steps for a Compulsory Purchase Order but following a meeting with local councillors, planners and the site owner GNS Construction, it was confirmed that the intention was to develop the site as retail and residential space, allowing the diggers to finally move in.

Alex MacDonald, Chairman of Burntisland Community Council, said: ”The Cinema had become a dreadful eyesore and at last a decision has been made.

”People will be enormously relieved that it has come down.

”However, this IS tinged with regret that no part of the existing building could be saved.”

The Fife Free Press reported that plans for the site were expected to be submitted to the Council at the end of May 2008.

An application for housing and other for a retail and residential complex had previously been submitted by GNS Construction but withdrawn and now there was to be a public consultation was to be held to gauge local views on the new proposals for the plot.

Mr MacDonald added: ”People want to see something there that will help re-energise the High Street and add to the overall character.

”It is a conservation area, with listed buildings nearby, so any new development will have to be sympathetic to the area.

“The current indications are we are on the cusp of something fairly exciting for the site.”

Unfortunately all the plans have yet to bear fruit and the site remains empty.