Stewart Murray and Gavin Adamson won the competition after running their farm shop concept, Soup A Men, in Bruce Street in the six weeks before Christmas.

But in an embarrassing twist, the business idea that so impressed the judges and customers in Dunfermline will now serve Kirkcaldy instead. Stewart said, “The prize was supposed to include one year’s rent-free business accommodation on Bruce Street.

“What was explained to us at the time didn’t match what we were offered when we won the prize.” But Venture Street organisers said the details were clearly stated in the rules and maintained they had done everything to help the duo, including an alternative offer which had been agreed but never taken up.

Stewart claimed, “We could only get the year’s free rent if we signed up to a five-year lease and the rent for the unit on offer was, I believe, £18,000 a year.

“That may be standard practice in some retail leases but that was never made clear prior to the competition.” Grant told the Press, “We were fully aware that no money was to be given as a prize – and we certainly never expected or asked for any kind of cash prize – but the 12 months’ rent-free opportunity was the reason that we agreed to be involved in this competition.

“As I was the winner of the competition I can categorically say that the whole Venture Street process was disgusting.” The business competition followed on from the TestTown idea and breathed new life into Bruce Street, with 11 budding entrepreneurs given rent-free premises for six weeks to run their own venture. They were given the opportunity to see if their idea worked and to win a support package worth up to £85,000 to get their business up and running.

It was organised by Dunfermline First and Dunfermline Delivers in partnership with Fife Council, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, Fife Business Gateway and several local firms. The Venture Street website still states the prize as one year’s free business accommodation rent, business banking, accountancy services and business legal advice, as well as media and business consultancy services.

Soup A Men were announced as winners in February and Stewart said, “People wrongly assumed we had won it and then done nothing with this amazing prize.

“The reality is we got next to nothing. The prize was meant to be £85,000 of business help. Not much of it came to fruition.” He said they received the accountancy services, “some” legal assistance and free business banking – “good to have but something the bank would offer anyway”. He continued, “There’s no way anyone in that competition would be able to take on that debt liability and I certainly wouldn’t sign a five-year lease in Bruce Street.

“We’re obviously unhappy and a bit angry with the way things have gone. They promised something then failed to deliver.” Alan Mutter, vice-chairman of Dunfermline Delivers, said, “I refute the allegations.

“Each of the people invited to take part in Venture Street were given a much fuller set of rules before it started and they were drawn up by a commercial lawyer.

“The rules of the competition say that if they wanted the year’s free rent they had to sign a commercial lease for five years (at £15,000 a year).” He continued, “Who is going to give someone a year’s free rent without having some kind of commitment from them?

“It was always to be five years.

“What they said was they were not prepared to sign the lease as they had no money to put into it and was there anything else we could do.

“An alternative was suggested where they could have a fitted, ready-to-open unit for £2500 for the whole year and no further commitment.

“They could then back out and leave. They didn’t go for that either.

“It’s disappointing they’re going to open up in Kirkcaldy rather than Dunfermline but that’s their choice obviously.

“They had a very good idea, they’ve got an exceptional work ethic and I’m sure they’ll make a go of it.” Joe McGuinness, of Fife Council, said, “It is with considerable regret that this fledgling business has opted to go elsewhere following their success in Venture Street.

“However, all participants who entered the competition had been made fully aware of what was on offer to the winning entrant.” He said the offer on premises was “clearly set out in the written agreement signed up to by all entrants”.

Mr McGuinness added, “I must place on record that without the support of the business community in Dunfermline and, in particular, the invaluable contributions of both Alan Mutter and Bill Fletcher, this initiative would never have seen the light of day.

“I would also refute any suggestion that the organisers failed to deliver on this one.

“In my opinion all the business community supporting this initiative delivered in full.”