Derelict building to become new venue

A NEW live music venue is being created in Fife with plans to restore a derelict 110-year-old theatre to its former glory.

The former Kings Theatre, in Kirkcaldy, closed in 2000 and has fallen into disrepair, with water damage, crumbling plasterwork, peeling paint and threadbare carpets.

The Kings Theatre opened in Kirkcaldy High Street in 1906 but it soon became a music hall and then a cinema in 1916, which it remained until it closed.

Steven Barbour, from Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy Ltd, said: “Structurally, the building is sound.

“Once the roof is sealed, which will be done pretty soon, then we can start on the inside; taking down a lot of the old plasterboarding and taking away a lot of the old framing and essentially bringing back what’s there, because most of it is in good nick.”

Partitions installed in 1977 to accommodate multiple screens have now been removed to create a 2,000seater venue, with the aim of attracting touring bands to the town.

Grant Foster, chief executive of Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy, said: “The whole concept behind this is to have a unique landmark to then bring people back into town. We think that live entertainment would do that in the form of a place of this size.”

There are also plans for smaller spaces for events such as weddings, a 50-seat restaurant and bar.

Mr Barbour said: “Some parts have just been spooky, walking back in as if someone was just there a minute ago.”

The team hopes to have the restoration work completed in three years. Pictures from our archive