A new cinema in Kirkcaldy town centre and successfully capitalising on the legacy of world-famous economist Adam Smith could be key economic drivers, as efforts continue to help rejuvenate the Esplanade and breathe new life into the beleaguered High Street.
That is the view of Kirkcaldy4All Business Improvement District (BID) manager Bill Harvey and chairman Harry Cormie, who told The Courier there was a “real desire” for a newbuild cinema in the town centre, more than a decade after the closure of the old ABC in High Street.
There is also a real belief that more could be done to bring visitors in to the town through retail, leisure and the historic connection with Kirkcaldy-born Adam Smith.
Mr Harvey said that, like many town centres, Kirkcaldy has suffered during the economic downturn, with well-known shops continuing to disappear. The sprawling town centre now hosts a number of large and long-vacant properties.
However, with “significant positive developments” including the recent £4 million regeneration of High Street, the revamped Kirkcaldy Galleries and the forthcoming new leisure centre, he said efforts to rejuvenate the town centre would continue.
And crucially, in addition to “day to day” issues such as how to tackle the filthy problem of chewing gum on pavements or the perceived menace of marauding seagulls, he said the business community, through Kirkcaldy4All, was also continuing its efforts to look at the “wider picture” through a series of short, medium and long-term objectives.
Mr Harvey told The Courier: “There is still a real desire for a cinema in the town centre. A lot of people are putting their best efforts into trying to achieve that.
“What’s disappointing is that in the Kirkcaldy/Levenmouth/Glenrothes areas, where 65% of the Fife population live, there is no full-time cinema.
“But the key for us, if a cinema could be brought back to the town centre, is the potential spin-off for the night-time economy. Imagine going to see the 6pm film and then going out for a bowl of pasta and a couple of drinks.
“It would show really good planning if we could bring one to the town centre. We are sure there could be sites found in the town centre for a cinema.
“Add to that the likes of the Morrisons supermarket opening along the Esplanade and the new leisure centre, which all helps bring people into and hopefully stay in the town centre.
“It would be tremendous news for the town and would send out a strong message to other investors.”
Recent highlights in Kirkcaldy’s calendar have been the return of the televised Pearl Izumi Tour Series bike race, the return of beach motorcycling and the arrival of the spectacular Edinburgh Festival Carnival, which came to the town centre on July 20.
With the £9 million project to revamp Kirkcaldy Esplanade under way, it is hoped that the waterfront area, in tandem with the town centre, could become a major focal point in future.
Mr Harvey continued: “When I talk to my opposite number in Dunfermline, Maggie Mitchell, she says she would ‘die’ to have an asset like Kirkcaldy Waterfront.
“Of course, they have the abbey and the heritage. But we have that as well. We have to reclaim Kirkcaldy’s identity, whether that be through Adam Smith, retail, leisurethe Prom is definitely under-utilised.”
Harry Comrie said that Kirkcaldy could seek inspiration from Dundee, which is currently in the midst of a 30-year plan to revamp its waterfront, with various funding opportunities open for exploration.
He said Kirkcaldy needed to “reconnect” with its waterfront.
However, he said it was important to “manage expectations” with a finite amount of money to go around, adding: “We are in a long game to build it up again.”