WORK has begun to turn a building in the centre of Kincardine into a £500,000 state-of-the-art enterprise and training hub.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Fife Council confirmed that work started this week to transform the near-derelict former Clydesdale Bank building at 2 Kirk Street, with the Longannet Task Force also supporting the project.
The development is the first major initiative to tackle economic fall-out from last year’s closure of the Longannet Power Station, which wiped out 230 direct jobs and an estimated 1000 indirect jobs at a cost of £50 million a year to the local economy.
Nicky Wilson, Scottish trustee and vice-chair of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which bought the building, said: “The Coalfields Enterprise and Training Hub will be a fantastic state-of-the-art facility which will promote an enterprising communities culture across the Longannet area of Fife.”
The renovation and restoration work is expected to be completed by around April.
Business Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “The premature closure of Longannet Power Station has been of great concern to us because of its economic impact, and I am delighted we have been able to support this bold initiative with £250,000 of Scottish Government funding.
“Using their expertise in the area, the project partners are creating a vital resource to help support new businesses in the area and this will also help to support existing businesses to grow and diversify."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here