IT has been revealed this week that there are moves to bring fresh impetus to the rejuvenation of Cowdenbeath High Street.

Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley has been involved in discussions with the owners of the derelict Crown Hotel, at the north end of the main shopping thoroughfare; council officials and staff at one of the busiest businesses, while Councillor Peter Lockhart, elected the High Street Champion of Cowdenbeath Area Committee, has plans in the pipeline to tackle the inherent problems there.

Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley confirmed to the Times that he had, in the last few weeks, met with the owners of the burnt out Crown Hotel and said he was now involved in discussions with a number of retailers and the council, looking at possible solutions for the problems affecting this part of the High Street.

The north end was to have housed the new Tesco Store on the site of North End Park only for the retail giant to abandon their plans, which was to bring 150 jobs to the town. But even if it had gone ahead the problem of the Crown building would have remained.

Mr Rowley said, “I have talked with council officials and said it is my view we need a bit more drive and energy to make things happen and I now intend to engage with all businesses and I hope the wider community, to get the High Street more focus and direction.

“I know we cannot solve all the economic issues around high streets of Fife nor can we change people’s new shopping habits, particularly online shopping, but that said I do think there is a lot more that can be done than is being done and it is my assessment from looking elsewhere that we need a new approach and renewed focus and determination”.

Councillor Lockhart was elected the Cowdenbeath Area Committee’s High Street Champion at the February meeting and he has several ideas up his sleeve which he feels can help improve the look of the town’s main retail area. Mr Rowley also met this week with staff from Boots the Chemist (see picture), who are based on the Cowdenbeath High Street, to hear their views on the shopping area and their operations in the town.

Mr Rowley said he was very impressed by the enthusiasm of the local staff and the work they were doing to make sure the store was putting in place and delivering important services.

He said, “It was good to meet local staff who are really enthusiastic about the services they deliver and I have to say, about Cowdenbeath.

“This store is working to deliver a wide range of health and support services but also offer an online next day delivery service for any Boots products that are more widely available in the larger stores.

“I was also pleased to meet regional managers and hear how they are very much involved in town centre initiatives elsewhere and how keen they are to be involved in a programme of renewal for Cowdenbeath High Street”.