THE loss of the Town House would be a serious blow to Cowdenbeath, it was contended this week.

The historic building, at the north end of High Street, has been empty since Fife Council staff moved to Brunton House three years ago.

There is a package of several hundred thousand pounds available for ensuring the future which must be spent by next October or it will be lost.

And there have been concerns expressed in the Times Letters page that it could be removed unless a new use was found for Town House.

But Councillor Alex Campbell and the other local members feel strongly that losing the building would be a disaster for the town.

Councillor Campbell said on Monday: "This to me is an iconic part of Cowdenbeath and being in the north end along with the Crown Hotel building, it is important that it is retained and given a new role.

"Getting the Town House occupied, and the burnt out shell of the Crown upgraded, is essential to the town."

Mr Campbell revealed that the Town House, which latterly was the home of Cowdenbeath Area Committee, but which had been where Cowdenbeath Town Council had operated from over seven decades also has the town's Second World War Memorial at its front.

Added Councillor Campbell: "The purpose of the study is to examine options for the future of Cowdenbeath Town House. It is now empty and is in potential need of some physical restoration to open it up to more extensive use and to secure its long term future.

"This study will start on November 1 and must be be completed by January 31 and it is envisaged that this will primarily focus on potential uses for the building, possible business models and potential income streams that would lead to a sustainable future. Secondary to this, the study would comment on any constraints to achieving a sustainable future imposed by location, conservation, structural issues, etc".

He met with Andrew Walker, of the council's Town Centre Development Unit, who has been closely involved in the SUSTRANS project that has seen the southern end of High Street given a new look, and he is very aware of the historic significance of the Town House.

Councillor Campbell concluded: "There is a total of £400k that has been allocated to the Town House project which must be allocated for spend by the end of April 2020, and work completed by October '20, and this is the area where I have concerns that these deadlines must be worked to and under no circumstances the money lost to Cowdenbeath.

"I feel strongly that this project must have a priority when the feasibility study is complete. It is simply so important to the history of the town."