COWDENBEATH Area Services manager Kevin Sayer has welcomed the suggestions made by one of the Times' letter writers about a fresh use for the 100 years plus Town House.

Mr Sayer was referring to Maureen Kennedy’s letter about the Town House, in High Street in the CFT dated October 20.

Mr Sayer said this week: "As people may be aware, Fife Council is working hard locally to promote and regenerate Cowdenbeath and its Town Centre.

"The recent work to paint shutters on the shop fronts – a joint effort with the police and Beath High School – is making a real difference.

"Winter lighting has recently been installed on the trees around the Leisure Centre making that area more attractive for residents and visitors and the free public access Wi-Fi is being tested prior to its formal switch on. Both these projects have been led by Cowdenbeath Community Council with support from Fife Council".

He added: "Other investment in Cowdenbeath includes the creation of a new community centre on Stenhouse Street and a feasibility study into enlarging the Leisure Centre and improving its facilities.

"We are also working with Sustrans (Sustainable Transport) Scotland on a costed scheme to make the High Street area more pedestrian and cycle-friendly. The physical work will begin in the 2017-18 financial year.

"All told, the Council with partner funders is investing well over £1.5million in Cowdenbeath Town centre over this year and next".

Mr Sayer added: "Turning to the Town House, local councillors are very clear that they do not want to lose it as a community asset.

"Work was commissioned to look at how its use may be adapted to suit community enterprise or a development trust.

"Ms Kennedy’s suggestion of a Town museum is an excellent one. The simple fact, however, is that in these straitened times the Council does not have the people it needs to run all the facilities it has.

"For a building to be sustained there has to be both a local need and demand and a willingness of people to voluntarily put time and effort into raising funds, running the facility and renewing what it offers.

"We have asked for people to register their interest in doing that and will offer support to anybody who comes forward. As yet, nobody has.

"I sincerely hope that the Town House remains in public ownership as do all the Area Committee Councillors. If the people of Cowdenbeath care as much as Ms Kennedy does, I’m sure that will be achieved".