Published Date: Feb 16th, 2026
Visitors to Kirkcaldy town centre and customers of Kirkcaldy leisure centre will be able to enjoy up to two hours of free parking at the Esplanade A and B car parks from 1–31 March 2026. The initiative aims to support town centre shoppers, visitors and local businesses. It will also be used to see if the free parking has any impact on visitor numbers to the leisure facilities. 
The offer applies at both car parks, with standard charges resuming after the initial two hours. Updated tariffs and ticket machines will reflect the temporary change. All users will still be required to obtain a ticket from the machine to qualify for the free two hours.
As part of wider plans to improve accessibility, Fife Sports and Leisure Trust is also inviting residents and visitors to share their views on travel to the centre. A short survey – accessible via QR code on promotional materials - asks for feedback on what works well, what could be improved, and what might support more frequent visits.
Both car parks are a short 5–7minute walk from the high street and leisure centre.
The cost to run the trial is approximately £4,600 and is being funded from Kirkcaldy Area Committee’s budget allocation for devolved parking initiatives.
Councillor Ian Cameron, Convener of the Kirkcaldy Area Committee, said: “Parking is definitely a topic that many of us are contacted about as local members.
“We’ve introduced a number of initiatives over the last few years in Kirkcaldy to encourage people back into the town centre. These include discounted parking rates and discount season tickets for those who work in Kirkcaldy, so I’m pleased we’re in a position to offer this 2-hour free parking in car park’s A + B on the esplanade. Hopefully, by giving people a place to park for free for a couple of hours, it will continue encourage a turnover of shoppers to the high street and local businesses as well as customers to the leisure centre.”
Feedback collected throughout March will be used to help shape future decisions on travel, parking, and accessibility for Kirkcaldy town centre and Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre.
