A HUB to encourage businesses in Dunfermline town centre could open in the spring.

Members of Fife Council's City of Dunfermline area committee were told last month that a firm had been commissioned to develop a vacant building at Maygate – recently used as a Safe Zone over the Christmas period – into an enterprise and regeneration hub.

Community development ream manager Shirley Melville said it was hoped the facility could be up and running by March.

"This will offer training and space for start-up businesses and work on this will start in 2020," she added.

Delivering Dunfermline manager Lisa Edwards said it was hoped the new facility would encourage town centre regeneration.

"The original idea came from the local community during the Design Dunfermline charette in April 2018," she explained. "The building identified is 13-15 Maygate, which was home to the temporary library when building work was under way on Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries.

"The £300K investment by Fife Council is using monies secured through the Scottish Government's Town Centre Capital Fund towards the refurbishment costs but plans are still in the very early stages.

"We are excited to see the development and refurbishment of this prominent vacant building in our Heritage Quarter within Dunfermline’s town centre."