The “sad” death of an Angus community project has been announced after 10 years and thousands of volunteer hours.
The Kinloch Centre promised a social hub in the heart of Carnoustie, on one of the town centre’s last undeveloped pieces of land.
But the Carnoustie Centre Action Group has decided to call it a day due to the economic downturn creating the “worst time” for fundraising in years.
And a “charrette” consultation revealed residents wanted shops on the site of the former Kinloch School, instead of a cinema or community centre.
Chairman Richard Fenwick said: “The charity known as Carnoustie Centre Action Group, or the Kinloch Centre Project, has reluctantly decided after nearly 10 years of existence and thousands of hours of volunteers’ time and effort that it should disband and the group be wound up.”
Local councillor Brian Boyd was involved in project meetings and said it is “very sad” to see it fold.
“It’s disappointing to see the group disband after so many years,” he said.
“I think the writing was on the wall following the charrette.
“The overriding message from members of the public is that they wanted some sort of retail in there.
“The Carnoustie Development Group and community council would welcome this positive energy on board, so it’s not a total loss.”
Mr Fenwick added: “The recession of 2008 and beyond saw corporate charitable giving almost dry up, and when the National Lottery was busy funding the Olympics, then the Commonwealth Games, Carnoustie was considered too prosperous with insufficient social problems or deprivation to merit support.”
Angus Council had originally offered £140,000 to a previous development on the site but this had not been guaranteed for the centre project.
A spokesman said: “The funding was earmarked from Angus Council’s unallocated reserves for the specific site and not to any specific project.
“There was no discussion or agreement for the funding to be attached to interchangeable sites or projects.”
The council has offered to meet the project organisers over any further proposals. A winding-up process has begun and any money left will be distributed among causes in the town.