Published Date: Jun 20th, 2025
An innovative, new food-themed enterprise and welfare hub for Cupar has taken another step closer to reality today. Members of North East Fife Area Committee today agreed to a request for funding to help the project get off the ground.
The money will help Cupar Development Trust to redevelop a vacant building in Cupar town centre into a food themed enterprise and welfare hub. The building in Ferguson Square, formerly Argos, has lain empty for some time and this ambitious project offers huge potential.
It is anticipated that the Cupar Food Station will host:
- an expanded Cupar Foodbank, Community Larder, commercial kitchen and cafe
- A GP referral scheme where patients could be prescribed fresh vegetables to tackle poor health outcomes
- An artisanal food and drink market for local producers, supporting community wealth building and providing an income stream to sustain the Cupar Food Station
- Event space for community groups
Funding from the Local Community Planning Budget and Cupar Common Good Fund will go towards the legal fees and Technical Study report required before the project can continue.
Convenor or North East Fife Area Committee, Cllr Jonny Tepp said: “This is a great example of community empowerment and Community Wealth Building. It is intended that this project will be financially self-sustaining once up and running and revenue from potential enterprise uses will be used to support the welfare uses.
“This is a great idea and if it proves feasible would add a really valuable asset to Cupar’s Town Centre, while also regenerating a disused building.
“I look forward to hearing more about progress in the future. “
The award of grant towards the costs of the Technical Study, and thereafter legal fees associated with the acquisition of the building through lease or purchase, will enable Cupar Development Trust to seek further grant funding to complete the acquisition and refurbishment of the building.
