Major funding has been secured to demolish Kirkcaldy’s ABC Cinema.

Fife Council has secured up to £1.5 million from the Scottish Government's Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) to support the work which will bring down the building which has sat empty for more than 25 years.

It has also submitted a formal planning application on behalf of the King's Theatre to kickstart the formal process.

The cinema has sat unused since its doors closed in 2000, and it is now in a dreadful state of decay - the huge volume of pigeon guano alone makes it extremely hazardous to enter, while one side of the roof is now fully exposed to the elements.

Generations of Fifers headed up these stairs from the ticket booth into the main cinema. Some of its original features still remain. (Pic: Fife Free Press)

placeholder image — Generations of Fifers headed up these stairs from the ticket booth into the main cinema. Some of its original features still remain. (Pic: Fife Free Press)

Demolition could take up to a year, and won’t start until councillors have formally approved the planning application which will also see the site cleared.

The cinema is wrapped around by flats with businesses below it, and sits directly above the Kings Theatre in the Esplanade, making it a challenging demolition in a confined space.

The Kings has already relocated its forthcoming panto to Linton Lane Centre in anticipation of preparatory work starting, with a view to returning in 2027.

Mandy Hunter, a trustee of the King's Theatre, said: "The King's Theatre and former ABC Cinema are important parts of Kirkcaldy's heritage, and we are pleased to be working with Fife Council to take this important step forward.

An aerial view of the site reveals the decay in the roof, and the damage to the former ballroom which sits behind the Kings Theatre (Pic: Fife Council)

"The successful funding award will allow essential works to be carried out and marks a positive milestone for the site while making the historic 1904 entrance foyer wind and water tight and protecting the residents who occupy the flats above.

“We appreciate the ongoing support and interest from the local community and will continue to keep people informed as plans progress."

Councillor Ian Cameron, convener of Kirkcaldy Area Committee, added: "Securing this funding from the Scottish Government is an excellent outcome for Kirkcaldy and demonstrates Fife Council's commitment to working with partners to support the successful regeneration of Kirkcaldy Town Centre. Subject to securing the required consents, it is hoped work will begin later this year."

The funding news comes after an initial mis-step saw letters sent to home owners and businesses advising them of plans to carry our internal and external condition surveys. That proved to be premature with a contract for the demolition work yet to be awarded, and the original timescale was put on hold.

Last month also saw the cinema become one of four venues across the UK removed from the annual list of ‘buildings at risk’ compiled by the Theatres Trust as a result of its forthcoming demolition.

The organisation’s annual report reported that the boarded up cinema had “deteriorated significantly” and said: “There is no longer the same level of local support or demand for it to be returned to theatre use as there was when it was first added to the register, with local audiences much better catered for by the recently renovated Adam Smith Theatre and the smaller Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy.”