A Fife company is in talks to move into the vacant former Havelock site in Kirkcaldy.
The identity of the firm, which employs between 40 and 50 staff, has not been revealed while commercially sensitive discussions continue.
Fife Council is in the process of cutting short the current 10-year lease for the building at John Smith Business Park, which was granted to Havelock Europa in 2015, so new tenants can move in.
The development was welcomed by Labour MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, Lesley Laird.
She said: “I’m delighted that Fife Council has actively and aggressively marketed this prime site at John Smith Business Park.
“I’m fully behind the council’s efforts to secure a new tenant and I’m happy to lend support in whatever way I can to progress development.
“I’m also pleased that the Havelock Europa’s position is consolidated at its base at Mitchelston Industrial Estate and I continue to watch both situations closely.”
Trouble hit Havelock Europa was brought out of administration at the start of July having suffered losses amid deteriorating trading conditions and falling public spending.
The company, which supplies furniture and fittings for shops and public buildings, was taken over by Havelock International, a new firm established by turnaround specialist Rcapital.
As part of the firm’s restructuring process, the company moved out of John Smith Business Park and consolidated the 320-strong workforce at its manufacturing site at Mitchelston Industrial Estate in Kirkcaldy.
Councillors discussed the pink paper lease arrangement in private at a recent Assets, Property and Facilities Committee meeting.
The report made available to the public stated the firm looking to move to the site was seeking an early entry date.
“The former tenant of the subjects has entered into administration and therefore the rental income which was receivable in 2018/19 will no longer be received,” said the report.
“Negotiations are ongoing with the prospective new tenants for around half of the space and terms have to be finalised although it is expected that agreement will be reached shortly.
“The proposed lease will allow the company to relocate its existing 40 to 50 staff to John Smith Business Park and thereby retain those highly specialised technical staff within the mid-Fife area.
“The rental income will make a significant contribution towards the mitigating the loss of rental income that was previously payable.”
