A RESPONSE from the architects of the owner of the Crown Hotel has given local councillor Alex Campbell some hope that there could soon be movement on the upgrading of the burnt out shell of the former nitespot on Cowdenbeath High Street.

The building has remained almost in a state of suspended animation for over a decade since the fire which gutted it.

With the opening last weekend of the £8m new retail park, constructed on the former North End Park recreational area, Councillor Campbell is anxious that long awaited improvements to the hotel building will take place to compliment the new retail park across the road, which has both Lidl and B&M stores contained within it, along with the £1.5m SUSTRANS project which has transformed the south end of High Street.

There have been several planning applications made by the owner of the Crown site but as yet nothing has happened on sorting out the eyesore on an improving High Street, so Mr Campbell set his stall out to in some way get in touch with the owner of the property.

He contacted the owner's architects, Architecture and Interior Designs Ltd, of Birmingham, and in his correspondence Councillor Campbell said: "I spoke with you a few weeks back regarding your client's position regarding the Crown Hotel, High Street, Cowdenbeath, and you stated in our conversation that you would get the owner to email or contact me.

"There is a large unrest in the community as to the condition of the building which is called an eyesore by the local people, while there has been an £8million development in the area nearby and the council are also working to enhance the High Street with over £1.3million spent this year. Now is time for this project to come to a beginning or removed all together."

Mr Campbell received a response from Amit Kenth, from the architects, who said: "I have tried contacting the client but he has been out of the country for the last month.

"I have forwarded your email over to him and await his reply. We will try our best to get the client to start works as we want to see this building being restored back to its former beauty. I will keep yourself updated as soon as we get a response".

Mr Campbell was encouraged by Amit Kenth's comments and said: "The reply from Crown Hotel architects at least is encouraging.

"From what has been said in the email the architects want to move this on. Hopefully the owner will be of the same mind."