THE former post office in Dunfermline has been bought by the City Hotel Group and is set to be transformed into a bar and restaurant with accommodation for visitors.

It's been shut for more than two years following the transfer of services to WH Smith on High Street and the Press can reveal exclusively the plans for the historic building on Queen Anne Street.

The City Hotel Group are still working on their ambitious proposals but they hope to create licensed premises incorporating a mixed offering of food, drink, entertainment and accommodation.

A spokesperson said: “As an active company in the leisure market in and around Dunfermline we already successfully operate a wide range of facilities including the City Hotel in Dunfermline and the Adamsons Hotel in Crossford, both of which we have recently invested heavily in upgrading.

"Our experience has shown us that patrons appreciate the improved quality of what we now provide, and we see a similar opportunity for the magnificent post office building to complement what we already offer.

"We are of the opinion that having a facility providing good quality food and drink, as well as accommodation for tourists who are coming to Dunfermline in greater numbers, would be a fitting use for this old building."

The group will now seek planning permission from Fife Council for a change of use for the building, which dates back to the 19th century.

A decision to close Dunfermline Post Office was made in October 2016 after a six-week public consultation and review. Services moved to WH Smith in March 2017, with the building vacant from then on.

The spokesperson added: "We are very much aware of the building’s history, with Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, having laid the foundation stone for the post office in 1861, and we aim to incorporate elements of this history in the fabric of the refurbished facility.

"We are happy to work with history and heritage groups such as Dunfermline Regeneration Trust and the charity, Yes-U-Are, which is currently renovating and refurbishing the nearby St Andrew's Erskine Church building, to ensure we come up with the right balance in taking this project forward."

John MacDonald, convenor of Yes-U-Are, said he was delighted with the suggested use for the building, which is directly across the road from their property.

He said: “This proposal for developing the old post office very much fits in with our own vision for revitalising the centre of town around the Erskine building, which we are currently renovating to bring back into community use.

"We fully support the City Hotel Group’s plans which we believe will enhance the whole area and we look forward to working collaboratively with them in improving and developing this part of town."