Huge public support in bid to save Kirkcaldy’s Polish Club

More than 2000 people have signed the petition which is the first step towards taking it into local ownership - and stave off a threat that the doors may close for good.

The campaign also has strong backing from local politicians.

The venue, on Bennochy Road, has been home to the Polish Club for almost 70 years, and is one of the town’s most important community hubs.

But, the listed building could be shut within three months and placed on the open market.

The threat comes from a decision to sell by London based SPK - the Polish Ex-combatants Association which formally manages the club.

Now, local trustees who run it have launched a petition to generate the support they need to begin a bid to take control of the building.

They want to apply under the Government’s Community Right To Buy (CRTB) which, if the property is put on the market, they would have first refusal and a defined timescale to raise the funds to secure it.

Step one is to demonstrate the community is right behind them.

They need 10 per cent of the local population from central Kirkcaldy to sign their petition.

The petition has grown from several hundred to over 2000 names in less than two days - the more names added to it, the stronger the campaigners’ voice becomes.

David Torrance MSP has been working with the Polish Club to secure its future.

He said: “It is so important to get the community buy out up and running.

“We have to show there is enough support in the town - it is vital people sign the petition.”

“We need as many signatures as soon ass possible.

“The Polish Club is a huge part of Kirkcaldy - I believe there is a lot of support for, and passion for it.”

Councillor Judy Hamilton, who has also been working with the club to form a community buy out, also urged people to show their support.

“If it closed, it would be a massive loss to the town,” she said. “There is a lot of affection for it - I hope people give us their support.”

> Sign the petition:

https://pakirkcaldy.co.uk/en/petycja-w-sprawie-polskiego-klubu-w-kirkcaldy/?fbclid=IwAR0-Dpxu0_ZD8tJShR1Db8l9AAtC4DiKicZh-Vu6g7xNHTCEwypSlzEsfXE

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