Published: Tuesday, 19th August, 2008 10:00am

Views sought on Fife's town centres

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FOLLOWING on from last year’s town-centre perception study to find out what visitors and businesses think of Fife’s four key town centres - Dunfermline, Glenrothes, St Andrews and Kirkcaldy - Fife Council is to ask residents for their views.

The council, in conjunction with the Fife’s People’s Panel, is hoping to find out what residents think of their town, the others they use and the ones they don’t.

The survey covers a number of areas including:

How often people visit the four town centres

What people think of the town centres as shopping and visitor destinations

What people like and dislike about the town centres

If they don’t shop in these town centres, why

What shops they use in the town centres

What improvements would they like to see

Do they shop online

How much they spend on shopping in towns/cities outside Fife.

Everyone who has signed up to the people’s panel will automatically receive a copy of the questionnaire but even Fifers who are not members can take part by visiting www.fifedirect.org.uk/towncentresurvey or calling 08451 55 11 22 for a copy.

The consultation starts on Monday 25th August and runs until Friday 26th September. It is expected that the findings will be analysed during October with a final report and recommendations, where appropriate, published by March next year.

The chair of the council’s environment, enterprise and transport committee, Councillor Tony Martin, said, “Having healthy, vibrant town centres that people visit and shop in is important to sustaining Fife’s communities and its economy. We recognise that people will only use Fife’s town centres if they have the facilities, attractions and shops they want to use.

“Getting residents involved, to compliment the last survey of visitors and businesses, is vital and I would encourage everyone to take part so we can find out what you think of the town centres you use as residents so we can identify where improvements need to be made.

“It’s also a great opportunity to tell us what you don’t like about the town centres and what stops you using them.

“Again, this will help us see what we need to put in place to entice people back to them.”

If you’re interested in taking part in future surveys on various subjects you can join up to the people’s panels by filling in an application form online at www.fifedirect.org.uk/peoplespanel or by picking up one from your local service centre, library, community centre, health centre or police station.

Alternatively, contact Betsy Wojcik, the people’s panel co-ordinator, on 08451 55 55 55 ext. 441206 or e-mail betsy.wojcik@fife.gov.uk.