Store and Sports plan could create 250 jobs

Published 21 Oct 2010 09:30 8 Comments

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AROUND 250 jobs could be created in new plans for a supermarket and sporting facilities in Central Fife.

Developer Vico Properties PLC say they will help breathe new life into Cowdenbeath town centre with their proposed 30,000-square-foot supermarket at North End Park.

They also want to build a £1.5 million sports hub in at Gagarin Way and Hope Street in Lumphinnans.

Alistair Reid Thomas, a development director with Vico, said, “We are genuinely excited about these plans. It all came about by identifying a need for additional retail facilities in the area.

“Retail policy is all about regenerating the town centre - the north end of Cowdenbeath requires regeneration and this will help local businesses as it will bring in people who are currently going to Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline to do their shopping. This will keep expenditure in the town centre and I think the populatuion agree with us.”

The company has already held public exhibitions about their plans at Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre and Lumphinnans Bowling Club.

Mr Thomas added, “Our public exhibition showed that 97 per cent of those who attended said this would encourage them to shop in the area. A total of 93 per cent said it would help regenerate the town centre, so we have received a positive response.

“In these current times, a supermarket would create 250 jobs which would be great for the area. This is good news for the town and we are hopeful we can push it through the planning process.”

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Read the full story in this week's Central Fife Times

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suzie
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Oct 21, 15:58
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That's great. The sooner the better. Let's hope they have polite and happy staff unlike most of the people that work in the Cowdenbeath Morrissons.

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macaroni badgers
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Oct 21, 19:24
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You need more than a supermarket to regenerate Cowdenbeath! Some decent high street shops wouldn't go amiss instead of the endless hairdressers, opticians, takeaways & bakeries currently populating the High Street!

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James Thomson
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Oct 25, 13:13
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This will be fantastic for Cowdenbeath! It's a long overdue development, giving us real choice in the town and giving people a reason to shop the full length of the High Street instead of travelling to Dunfermline or Kirkcaldy. The top of the High Street is an eyesore, but this investment could be the spark that's needed to persuade other businesses into the town. Let's hope it doesn't fall foul of the planning authority. We need jobs and investment in Cowdenbeath!!

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trigger
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Nov 2, 15:47
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Are the shops in the high street not closing/opening based on the local demand?

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irene p
1 post
Nov 12, 11:38
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what about lochgelly. when are we going to get more than just the co op here

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ricky
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Jan 13, 13:29
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exactly what about lochgelly??? how do think us from cowdenbeath felt when lidl was proposed and lochgelly folk moaned it would take trade away from shops there? and anyway isnt asda looking to build in lochgelly???. i am fed up of towns moaning when another town is to get something there are alot of towns with very little or nothing who arent likely to get anything and you never hear a peep from them. if you want something stand up and speak out and attract supermarket/shops but dont go doing it at the expense of other towns.

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SallyJ
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Jun 16, 07:59
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Another supermarket is definitely not needed in Cowdenbeath. Morrisons is adequate enough for our population and availability and prices are always good. I don't see why cowdenbeath would need another large supermarket when Lochgelly has been promised one for years and is still waiting!!

Also I cannot fault the pleasant and friendly staff who work in morrsions who would do anything for you, which always makes my trip to the supermarket a positive one.

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anon
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Apr 20, 20:12
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Lochgelly was denied a supermarket at an ideal location on the outskirts of the town. Local rumour suggests this was to pave the way for Cowdenbeath to get their store. Cowdenbeath has an abundance of decent shops and medium sized stores, all Lochgelly has is an overpriced CO-OP.

To stop us Lochgellians moaning, we were then promised an Aldis in an unsuitable location, due to the placement being in a residential area with narrow roads, even so this never materialised and again Lochgelly has been left with nothing.

Cowdenbeath does get special favour by Fife Council, Lochgelly is ignored, and I feel truly sorry for those in Ballingry who have much further to travel just to get to an area with semi decent shopping and prices.

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