Kirkcaldy multiplex plans are submitted

COUNCIL: Developers determined to complete leisure complex

A major redevelopment of the former Kirkcaldy swimming pool has edged a step closer after the formal submission of a planning application to Fife Council.

Mercat Shopping Centre owners LaSalle Investment Management are pressing ahead with proposals for a new multi-screen cinema which will complement other leisure, retail and restaurant units at the site on Kirkcaldy Esplanade.

The application follows a public consultation earlier this year which revealed “overwhelming public interest and support” for the blueprint, with just two out of 301 responses against the idea.

Those behind the plans say the development will cost in excess of £10 million but will be a focal point in the town centre and will bring up to 250 jobs.

The construction of a £10 million leisure and cinema development on Kirkcaldy Esplanade has edged closer with the submission of plans to Fife Council.

The town’s former swimming pool site will be redeveloped into a cinema, shops, bars, restaurants and leisure units, with as many as 250 jobs likely to be created in the process.

While previous proposals have fallen away, Mercat Shopping Centre owners LaSalle Investment Management seem determined to see the latest blueprint taken on.

A public consultation gave shoppers a glimpse of what the future might hold and a report into that exercise has concluded there was “overwhelming public interest and support” for the proposal.

News of the application was welcomed by Kirkcaldy councillor David Ross, who said: “It’s been a long journey, but hopefully there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

“The council is very much behind anything that can be done there and we will do as much as we can to facilitate it, but at the end of the day it’s commercial organisations who have to take those decisions and we have to wait and see what happens.”

According to the plans, the proposed eight-screen cinema – which would be the first dedicated cinema in the town since the High Street’s ABC closed in 2000 – will act as a focus and provide economic benefits, with the total development cost estimated at more than £10m.

Estimates also suggest more than 150 construction jobs will be created, as well as up to 30 jobs in the cinema and around 75 new jobs in restaurant and leisure units.

“Restaurants are likely to appeal to national multiples and chains such as Nandos, Wagamama, Bella Italia, Pizza Express and Byron Burgers,” the plans state.

“Commercial space and display areas will be provided at ground floor and if there is demand this could accommodate a gym, retail units or more restaurants.”

More than 900 people attended a two-day exhibition about the plans and 296 out of 301 responses were supportive of the idea.

Three forms left boxes unticked but were positive elsewhere, while just two indicated they were against the proposal.

An artist’s impression of the proposed development.

Councillor David Ross has welcomed the plans and said the council will do as much as it can to see it come to fruition.