Work gets under way on enterprise hub

Development: Derelict former bank being transformed into post-Longannet Kincardine centre

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is on course to convert Kincardine’s old bank into a £500,000 enterprise and training hub.

It is the first major initiative to tackle the fallout from last year’s closure of the Longannet power station which wiped out 230 direct jobs and an estimated 1,000 indirect jobs at a cost of £50 million a year to the local economy.

The trust bought the near derelict former Clydesdale Bank building in partnership with Fife Council and the backing of the Scottish Government and Longannet taskforce.

Trust vice-chairman Nicky Wilson said the hub would be a “fantastic” centre to promote an enterprising communities culture across the area.

“Its key priority will be to stimulate the local community by providing community activists, aspiring individuals and enterprising organisations access to a unique facility which encourages collaboration, networking, specialist training, support and business growth as well as access to the services of CRT and our partners,” he said.

When the renovation and restoration work is complete, around April, it will offer various programmes and become home to the trust’s seven-strong team in Scotland.

Mr Wilson added: “This project is a huge challenge for the CRT, but also a wonderful opportunity for us to demonstrate our ability to get local people involved in developments that will potentially change their lives.”

He is confident the model will become a template for future taskforce operations.

The trust will manage the building with input from partners including Fife Council and Business Gateway Fife, and use it to benefit Scotland’s mining communities, which still lag behind the rest of the country in health, education and job opportunities.

Scottish Business Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “The premature closure of Longannet has been of great concern to us because of its economic impact.”

Keen to secure investment in west Fife, he was delighted the Scottish Government could support the “bold” initiative by the trust and council with £250,000 of funding.

“The new hub should provide a significant boost to the local economy, by helping to create and retain jobs – as well as providing a sustainable future for one of the area’s historically significant buildings.”

Fife economy convener, Labour councillor Altany Craik, added: “The effect of Longannet closing is hugely significant for those local communities closest to the plant.”

Progress now being made on projects identified through the taskforce action plan was “hugely beneficial”.

Its key priority will be to stimulate the local community. NICKY WILSON

The trust’s team outside the centre. Work should be complete around April next year.