COWDENBEATH'S iconic Town House building is certain to be given a new lease of life in 2020.

A feasibility study into future uses for the building has come up with some interesting options for the former seat of political power in the town over many decades, utilising a £400,000 pot of funding which was created by the Scottish Government town centre improvement fund.

The Town House has been empty since Fife Council staff moved out three years ago but it is a very prominent building at the north end of High Street, with a rich history.

Cowdenbeath and Kelty councillor, Alex Campbell, said that a meeting to discuss the results of the feasibility study last week had proved very positive and the next stage would see engagement with the town's community council.

He added: “The important thing is that we have a series of ideas available that the investment can be used for, to ensure that the money is not lost to Cowdenbeath.

“There have been a number of interesting ideas put forward and it will be good to get the community council members' input into which would be the best to take the future of this important local building forward.

"The first stage will be investment to make the building, which has been empty for a few years now, wind and water tight, which is very, very important."

Mr Campbell said that after that the plans for the way ahead for the facility can be put into action

He went on: "The engagement between the four local councillors, and community council members, will be an interesting phase on the way ahead for the Town House but it is a real boost for the town to see the future of this important Cowdenbeath building secured.

"2020 will see the new future for it develop and this will add to the difference the opening of the new North End Retail Park has made to High Street."

Mr Campbell added that he wants to see the Crown Hotel eyesore, at the north end, dealt with this year as well.

"We have had more than a decade of delays with getting rid of this burnt out eyesore and I think we have to move to a Compulsory Purchase order to get this finally sorted out," he concluded.