EFFORTs to regenerate the centre of Dunfermline have been praised by Shadow Scottish Minister Sarah Boyack during a visit on Monday.

The current Fife Council administration made breathing new life into the High Street a key priority when they took control of the local authority and invested £1 million in the regeneration plans.

Shadow Cabinet Minister for Local Government and Planning, Sarah Boyack, met with local business groups, elected representatives and local members to see what progress has been made and to discuss future ideas and initiatives that could attract more visitors.

The next few months will see the opening of a cultural cafe at the former bank building at 82 High Street, a new arts hub at the old fire station and the long-delayed opening of Tesco in Carnegie Drive.

The party of politicians and business representatives started from the City Chambers walked down to the Glen Gates then headed back up to the High Street.

Inside 82 High Street, Bill Fletcher, of Dunfermline First and Dunfermline Delivers, said it was hoped the ground floor cafe and internet facilities would be open in around 10 to 12 weeks.

Joe McGuinness, area services manager, told the guests that there were also hopes that European funding could obtained to turn the top of the building into hostel-type accommodation for young people from the Continent who come to Dunfermline to take part in volunteer work, Dunfermline MSP Cara Hilton said, “I’m delighted to say that by working in partnership with business, enterprise and elected members, we are making real progress towards our objectives of supporting and improving the local economy and placing Dunfermline, Scotland’s ancient capital, firmly on the visitor destination map.

“At today’s summit we are keen to showcase Dunfermline at its very best and discuss with the Shadow Cabinet Minister ways in which we can all continue to work together in making this Town Centre Regeneration project a continuing success.” City of Dunfermline area committee chair Helen Law said, “Sarah has been going around town centres all over Scotland over the past two summers and she’s been really impressed by what we’re doing in Dunfermline.

“She’s impressed by our positive attitude, at the way we’re working with the private and the voluntary centre and the things that are in the pipeline like the Fire Station Creative and 82 High Street.

“There’s lots of work going on and I wouldn’t pretend there’s not a lot more to do, there is but certainly there’s been lots of energy and enthusiasm put into all of this.” Sarah Boyack said, “What strikes me is there is a vision in place between the council and local business community. There is organisational work going on to put money into the town centre. I was really interested in seeing the building redevelopment that is ongoing at the moment and I get the sense that Dunfermline is further ahead of some of our other town centres.

“They got the same challenges – out of town retail, the cost of investing in older buildings is more expensive but you have got a partnership between the business community which is not just the BIDS, although that’s at the heart of it.

“There’s work happening and I’d like to see more people coming back to live in the town centres, support for businesses. Fife Council is also supporting culture as well. The fire station plans are exciting. It’s an amazing old building and 20 to 30 artists will have their own studio space.” The shadow minister pointed high streets up and down the land are facing the same problems. “You’ve got the out-of-town challenge which has been with us for 20 years, you had the financial crash in 2008, you’ve got the cost of living problem and the most scary challenge for retailers I guess is the internet.

“It’s not just ordering things on-line any more it’s people coming into town on the bus with their tablets doing price comparison shopping.”