A business study has been commissioned that will look at the opportunities for the future of the former Argos site in Cupar – the “exciting next step” in the project’s development.

Cupar Development Trust, who are leading the Cupar Food Station project, met last week with their working group, and heard from Mark Kummerer of MKA Economics, the appointed consultants.

The study adopts a significant amount of work undertaken to date by the Trust and their community partners and will now run a consultative process over the coming weeks. Mark explains: “This is an exciting stage. The Trust has carried out a significant amount of legwork to get to this point – not least of all their ongoing discussions with the site’s owner as well as a formal survey and valuation of the site.”

Tony Miklinski, Chair of CDT, adds: “The potential of the project is for a transformational multi-million-pound development at the heart not only of Cupar but also of north-east Fife. The opportunities that affords are significant – from a community support and wellbeing perspective to a sustainable, economic development that will secure and repurpose the property and see investment to drive commercial benefits to Cupar and our town’s catchment.”

The study runs from now and is expected to report to the Trust in June with interim updates on a monthly basis. In those three months, consultations will take place with private, public and third sector organisations. Tony says: “Most importantly, the consultative process will engage with residents and businesses in and around Cupar to seek their input.”

Mark adds: “The Trust’s working group includes a wealth of experience which not only gives the project credence but also demonstrates how it is embedded at a local level. This is not a project being parachuted into Cupar. It is being driven by people who are passionate about the town and region.”

Town centre plans

The site covers the 20,000 sq ft former Argos building as well as Ferguson Square – giving direct, level access for pedestrians to Crossgate and the town centre – and ramped access to Waterend Road with parking provision and vehicular access to the building.

The working group has been considering potential uses – including the re-siting of the town’s Food Bank to create a facility that is “fit for purpose and future proofed”, the creation of a food market, the opportunity for a training kitchen to provide educational support for cross-generational groups as well as the piloting of a fresh fruit and veg prescription service in support of GP Practices across north-east Fife and Levenmouth.

Tony is keen to explain that “at this stage, nothing is set in concrete” saying: “The premise of the project was borne out of a need to better support vulnerable people in our area. Food is what brings us together – and so the Cupar Food Station’s focus remains on food and drink – and the provision of the same, whether on a commercial basis or through charitable and social enterprise initiatives.” Tony concludes: “Cupar is an historic market town. It is at the centre of an extraordinarily abundant region for farming, food and drink production and well as an amazing collection or companies using those ingredients to make and sell produce. The opportunity is for the Cupar Food Station to tap into that resource for the benefit of our community, creating an economically sustainable project that enables the Trust and its partners to continue in our support for Cupar and our large, rural catchment.”

 

This article is published in support of Cupar Development Trust who signed-up to CuparNow this Spring.

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