Published Date: Feb 11th, 2026
Fife Council would like to thank everyone who came along to the drop-in sessions about Kirkcaldy town centre and waterfront.
Following the welcome news that Kirkcaldy High Street and seafront was awarded £20 million from the UK Government’s Growth Mission Fund in the Autumn budget, Fife Council organised two public drop-in sessions. At the Old Kirk on 4 and 5 February.
It was clear from the sessions that people had a lot of questions, so we’ve put together a set of Frequently Asked Questions to help answer the most common questions. These can be found at our.fife.scot/transformingkirkcaldy
Councillor David Ross, Leader of Fife Council, said: “I was very encouraged by the number of people who attended the drop-in sessions. It confirms the interest local people have in their town centre and waterfront and that there is a real appetite for change.
“Residents obviously have a lot of questions, and this is still early days in the development of these regeneration proposals.
“The town centre and waterfront proposals are only one part of ongoing, long-term work to transform Kirkcaldy.
“The funding from the UK Government’s Growth Mission Fund has to be directed at specific projects to support economic growth but we hope that this will help stimulate and attract the commercial investment necessary to deliver some of the wider projects and regeneration people want to see that are beyond the scope of what the Council can do.
“The feedback from these drop-in sessions and from other consultation that has taken place will help shape not only the Growth Mission projects but also the longer-term transformation of the town centre and esplanade that we all want to see.”
Ken Gourlay, Chief Executive of Fife Council, said: “To be clear, the proposals illustrate a multiuse building. This is not a single purpose training or office building. Multiuse means it must support activity, footfall and everyday public use, alongside economic and skills activity.
“That could include space for things like popup retail, a café, exhibitions, community events, creative activities, entertainment, rehearsals and opportunities for people to try out new ideas – alongside other uses that bring people into the town centre and waterfront.”
“We are committed to working with residents, businesses and community groups to shape a Kirkcaldy that people want to spend time in – not just pass through.”
Councillor David Ross concluded: “Regeneration must be something people can see, feel and be proud of and we’re determined to do that. This is just the next step.
Next steps
- We will publish clearer information explaining what is proposed, what is fixed, and what can still be shaped.
- We will improve how people can take part, widen participation, including wider promotion and clearer materials.
- We will continue to gather and analyse the feedback before finalising the business case submission.
Image courtesy of Collective Architecture
