The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Cowdenbeath High Street bucks trend and is now up for UK award.
Town in final 28 in contest to recognise adapting shopping hubs
High streets across the country may be ailing but Cowdenbeath appears to be bucking the trend.
The former mining town’s main retail area has been shortlisted in the UK Government’s Great British High Street Awards, which come with a £15,000 prize.
The town has made it to the final 28 in the Rising Star category and is up against the likes of Rochdale, Falkirk, Llanelli and Armagh in the contest, which celebrates high streets that are taking the lead to adapt and diversify.
The area has been enhanced recently by a £1.5 million facelift, creating, among other things, a green square from the former Ritz site and street art.
An £8.5m development at the North End will soon see Lidl and B&M move in.
A collaborative Love Cowdenbeath campaign involving the community council, Fife Council, and other organisations is also working together for the future of the High Street.
The council’s local community manager Kevin Sayer said: “Cowdenbeath never stopped being a traditional high street.
“Other people pedestrianised high streets or relied on anchor stores but Cowdenbeath has always been Cowdenbeath.
“There are still independent retailers and it is still doing really well, there are now businesses coming in like Subway and the Card Factory.”
Jean Young, who owns local shoe shop Uptown Girl, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the whole town. “This is something positive.” Glencraig man Robert Wheatley, 74, who runs DZine Home Furnishings, said: “This is one of the few high streets you can still drive down, so maybe that makes a difference.”
Kelty woman Maureen Murray, 65, enjoys coming to Cowdenbeath town centre to use the leisure centre pool.
She said :“There’ s been improvements here, the buildings are looking better and a lot cleaner.
“What we could do with are more clothes shops, but the high street is getting better.”
Cowdenbeath woman Hazel Anderson, 43, runs Precious Events and is active in the community.
“We are heartened by this because we are all working so hard and trying to do our best,” she said.
That was echoed by local Conservative councillor Darren Watt.
“It is a testament to the community and all those involved, like environmental groups, and the council and its officers, tenants and residents groups, who have all played a small but significant part over the last few months,” he said.
People can vote for their favourite finalist at the great british high street. co.uk, with the public vote accounting for 20% of the final score.
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There are still independent retailers and it is still doing really well. COMMUNITY MANAGER KEVIN SAYER