Kirkcaldy could soon see the return of the silver screen for the first time in 10 years if plans for a town centre cinema are given the go-ahead.
Robert Kilgour, who owns the former Station Hotel next to the Adam Smith Theatre, has unveiled plans to transform the historic building into a dedicated picture house. It is estimated the venture could create up to 30 full and part-time jobs, as well as employment opportunities during the construction stage.
However, the idea has to win approval from planners, a task Mr Kilgour considers no mean feat after previous proposals including a housing development, flats and turning the building into a student venue were rejected
The Fife Council planning department has in the past said demolition was not a favourable option because, although Historic Scotland feels the building does not merit being listed, it has been part of Kirkcaldy’s built heritage for more than a century.
In September last year planning officer Stuart Wilson said, “The structural information submitted does not justify demolition of the building on safety grounds and currently the building appears in a safe structural condition and is standing of its own accord.”
Mr Kilgour said he feels he is in a “catch 22 situation” at present. “On the one hand the council won’t let me demolish until I can confirm interest from an operator, on the other cinema operators won’t commit until I have demolition permission.
“As a result I have spent a lot of time, effort and money on this and have enlisted the help of architects Davidson Design, who have drawn up detailed plans about how the proposed development would look in the hope it will help convince planning officers that this development would be good for the local community and indeed the town as a whole.
“I do have several cinema operators who may be interested in this once demolition permission is granted but am not at liberty to say who at this stage. My hands are tied, I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I’ve enough faith in this venture to know it can be a success and hopefully I will have a chance to prove that and I am quietly confident in the application.
“People have been crying out for a cinema for many years now and this venue would be accessible to everyone as it is in the town centre and right next to the train and bus station. That said, I have been let down many times over the last three years so I am not going to get my hopes up too much.”