A MAJOR blow has been dealt to Dunfermline town centre with the announcement that the organisation responsible for events such as the Outwith Festival and the annual fireworks display has ceased operating.

Delivering Dunfermline – which replaced Business Improvement District (BID) company Dunfermline Delivers – had hoped to continue its predecessor’s work however an unsuccessful effort to find funding has left it unable to go on.

Senior councillor Helen Law said the news was “heartbreaking”, describing the organisation, which spent around £400,000 a year on the town centre, as a “huge asset”.

Councillors had previously warned that the town faced “significant risks” with dire predictions including a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour as well as a drop in footfall, more empty shops and less events, if cash to keep going was not found.

They are now hoping the creation of an economy advisor post will help plug the massive gap left by the organisation.

“They were a huge asset to Dunfermline and we are going to have to council fund a post which isn’t going to replace the work,” said Cllr Law. “It is absolutely heartbreaking – they made such a significant contribution.”

Delivering Dunfermline was set up last year as a Community Interest Company (CIC) after BID company Dunfermline Delivers lost its renewal ballot.

At the City of Dunfermline area committee on Tuesday, Councillor Law said: “We have been really really sad to have lost the BID company and its successor, the community interest company. We were in the process of looking for funding at the point of lockdown.

“I would hope we would see the Maygate Exchange open as soon as possible. It is a huge step forward for Dunfermline to get this commitment. We have got capital money from the Scottish Government. I am looking forward to seeing this up and running with a staff member.”

A report from acting community managers Scott Fenton and Shirley Melville said it had been hoped that Delivering Dunfermline would have been able to run the Maygate Enterprise Centre, however an economy adviser was now going to be taken on to help with the venture.

The report said: “The work of both the BID and latterly the CIC had a hugely positive impact on the town centre and Dunfermline in general, supporting the development of Dunfermline as a place that the community, visitors and businesses wanted to be.

“It was widely acknowledged that Dunfermline was bucking the trend compared with similar-sized town centres with investor confidence demonstrated through a steady stream of new businesses opening and the significant residential developments that are underway in Dunfermline.

“Delivering Dunfermline’s staff are currently furloughed, and it is understood that the CIC will close permanently shortly.

“The economy adviser post holder will support town centre businesses during the recovery phase and address emerging themes such as building community wealth, digital working, promoting mental health & wellbeing, tackling food insecurity and addressing the climate emergency.”

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, Fife Council’s head of business and employability Gordon Mole, said the creation of the new post would help with the town centre’s recovery.

“It is required to continue some elements of the work previously undertaken by the BID. The BID did not pass through its recent ballot. A community interest company was then established to take on the legacy but due to various operational reasons, it couldn’t continue and, as of yesterday, has ceased operation. 

“This post will undertake some aspects of overseeing the enterprise hub and maintain Dunfermline’s accountability for areas such as the purple flag so when we are able to return to something more normal, the people of Dunfermline continue to feel safe having that system in place.

"The post will look at what else is working with a range of partners can be put in place to aid the resilience and recovery of the town centre.”

Councillors agreed to provide £121,528 to fund the new post for two years and assist in the opening and management of the Maygate Enterprise Centre.

No-one from Delivering Dunfermline was available to comment.