Cupar Food Station Update

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Businesses across north-east Fife – and beyond – are being invited to take part in a survey that will help to shape the future of Cupar’s town centre.

Consultants, MKA Economics, have been commissioned by Cupar Development Trust to assess the business feasibility of The Cupar Food Station, a project on the site of the former Argos in Ferguson Square.

The project has evolved over more than two years, including multiple partners and stakeholders and, if successful, is set to repurpose the former Argos store on the town’s Ferguson Square. More information can be found from earlier coverage on our Blog via this link.

A Food & Drink Vision

The vision for the project is to develop …

A Themed Approach

The Food Station will have cross-cutting themes, including:

  • Sustainable/independent future – be viable in business terms as well as addressing the needs of people in Cupar, across the town’s large rural catchment and into the wider region
  • Regeneration – bring a derelict, historical site at the very heart of the town back into a meaningful and sustainable use, unlocking the potential for further regeneration in the town centre
  • Wealth Creation – support formation and growth opportunities for businesses in the food & drink, creative and tourism sectors
  • Employment & Training – provide opportunities for multi-generational training and job creation for people across the region
  • Community Support – offer much needed support and services to the local community, families, young people and, in particular, help for the most vulnerable in the local area
  • Wellbeing – a focus on and promotion of provenance to support healthy, happy, and fulfilling lifestyles

Business Focus

An e-shot is being sent to hundreds of businesses – predominantly in the area’s food & drink sector – seeking their views. This is on the back of substantial work undertaken by the Cupar Development Trust on opportunities for the town and district … work that has taken more than two years in the planning that has included the Cupar & Country Community Action Plan (2023), the Cupar Youth Charrette (2023) and the Cupar Ward with Monimail Community Council Local Place Plan (2024).

Outputs from these – supported by collaborative engagement with multiple partners and stakeholders – all amplified the need for support.

The result? The Food Station is an evidence-based project, firmly rooted in community consultation and aspiration.

Trust Chair, Tony Miklinski says: “As a ‘development’ trust, our strategic ambition is to support our community through wealth-creation – reducing and eventually removing the need for funding support from the 3rd and public sectors: to do so, we see this site and the project’s unique prospects as a means to that sustainable end.”

Tony adds: “The number one priority is to save and regenerate an empty property – one with a listed façade – that, without positive action, will continue to deteriorate and threatens to blight the town centre for years to come. Our aim is to bring the property and site back to economically-productive use – delivering tangible community benefits and support.”

Interested?

The Trust and their consultants are keen to get the views of businesses who are interested in the project and its potential: to that end, a short online survey has been created that can be accessed by clicking here or on the image below.

If you have more to share, it would be helpful if MKA Economics can arrange an online meeting or telephone call with you. In this, they would seek to get your views on the Proposed Development, how it can support your business/organisation, how you would like to be involved going forward and, if so, what your requirements might be. If you would like to set up an online meeting or call, you can contact MKA Economics direct by email via this link.

Thank you for reading.

Please feel free to share with anyone who might be interested.