Industrial estate action plan could boost town centre

A robust action plan is being drawn up to consider moving businesses from one of Kirkcaldy’s biggest industrial estates to the town centre.

Councillors have approved a £50,000 study which will look at how to free up units at Mitchelston Industrial Estate, where there is a waiting list for premises.

Members of Fife Council’s Kirkcaldy area committee heard companies traditionally thought to be “town centre appropriate” were starting to creep into Mitchelston.

Town centre development officer David Grove said options to persuade these businesses to move were being looked at.

“We can’t force people to do that but could encourage them to re-allocate and take advantage of revised rateable values in the town centre following re-evaluation in 2017,” he said.

Money for the scheme is coming from a £1 million council fund to support economic activity in mid Fife, an area identified as facing severe and unique challenges.

It is hoped it will revitalise the town centre, which has suffered a number of closures recently, while also boosting Mitchelston.

Mr Grove quelled fears it would simply result in companies being moved around the town without creating any new business.

“In terms of displacement, it’s the other way round,” he said.

“There is demand for units which are being occupied for other uses at the moment. This would free them up.”

He said ideas to address car parking issues in Kirkcaldy town centre were also being looked at and further funding was being ploughed in to repair buildings and improve shop fronts in a bid to stimulate private sector confidence.

The move comes on top of a plan to reopen a disused restaurant in the Merchants’ Quarter to provide training and give new-start businesses their first taste of high street trading.

Committee convener Neil Crooks said: “Instead of people talking about M&S closing, it’s about investing in the area and creating jobs and prosperity.”