Vision aims to stem the exovus of young talent to Central Belt

The Alhambra Theatre Trust announced its ambitious plans for a major cultural hub in an iconic but empty building last year.

It would include a new performing arts centre, including a state-of-the-art 200seat studio theatre, arthouse cinema, purpose-built HQ for the Alhambra Stage and Dance School, rehearsal rooms and shop and restaurant space.

The plans centre on 62 New Row which has lain empty for years.

It was latterly Watt & Dewar’s Ironmongers but started life as the Dunfermline Carnegie Music Institute.

A smaller performance space will provide opportunities for local groups to produce and put on a wide variety of works.

More controversial is a plan for an outdoor space, which would be used for performances, and perhaps to host summer outdoor film screenings.

The trust said: “We are pleased our proposal received the support of councillors and council officers.

“The trust’s plans would see an area of ground in Dunfermline town centre, which is unloved and chronically under-utilised, transformed into attractive gardens for use by both the public and the students and users of the adjoining planned stage school and studio theatre premises.

“The project will help to create a vibrant community space that encourages youth development and community participation.”

The design of the complex will be influenced by the world famous Wilton’s Music Hall in London.

Project leaders promise the arts space will be carefully woven into the building, retaining its centurylong historical significance to the town.

The Ironmongers Studio aims to complement the existing space at the Alhambra Theatre or Carnegie Hall.

The overarching aim is to act as a base for Fife’s innovative young writers, performers and dance groups and to attempt to stop the exodus of talented youngsters to Edinburgh and Glasgow by offering qualifications closer to home.