A place to meet. A place to explore. A place to grow a business, find support or discover something new. What would you like the County Buildings to offer Cupar and its wider community?

Cupar Development Trust is exploring whether these historic buildings could come into community control and be improved to meet local needs.

A survey is now inviting local organisations and businesses to help shape that work. It takes just a few minutes. Your response could help identify the spaces, services and opportunities that Cupar needs – and build the evidence for a practical, sustainable future.

Just click on this link to take the County Buildings survey.⁠

A familiar place with new possibilities

The County Buildings are part of Cupar’s story and have been for more than 200 years. They also remain a working place, accommodating public services and organisations supporting our community.

Through its Strategic Review, Cupar Development Trust is looking at how the site could serve the town and wider district in the years ahead.

The review brings together questions about:

• Food and drink
• Arts, culture & heritage
• Community needs
• Environmental impact
• Economic opportunity

There is plenty to explore …

• Could existing spaces work better for their users?
• Could other areas welcome new activities?
• Could the buildings and their riverside setting play a greater role in town-centre regeneration?

Community control is a possibility being investigated. The 12-month review and consultation – set to conclude and report next summer – will help establish what is needed, what is feasible and how future improvements might be funded and sustained.

Food, skills and stronger connections

One strand of this thinking builds on the Trust’s earlier Food Station work: exploring how a community food hub could bring together charities, public services, social enterprises as well as commercial businesses.

That could mean developing support around the Food Bank, creating opportunities for food and hospitality training, or making stronger connections between local producers and the people who buy, prepare and enjoy their food.

• Could a shared kitchen help someone learn new skills?
• Could food bring different generations together?
• Could local enterprises find space to test an idea or reach new customers?

These are possibilities to examine through the review.

Local experience will help show where there is demand, which partnerships could work and what would make the greatest difference.

Food is one part of a wider conversation.

Arts, heritage, community activity, business space and environmental improvements also have a place in considering the site’s future.

Your experience matters

A successful plan needs to reflect how people and organisations actually use Cupar.

• Perhaps your group struggles to find an accessible meeting place?
• Perhaps your charity needs suitable space to deliver support?
• Perhaps your business has an idea for collaboration, training or growth?

Understanding those needs helps the Trust and its project partners assess potential uses and develop a credible business case. It also helps prospective stakeholders, funders and investors understand the local demand behind any future proposals.

The survey is being undertaken by Community Enterprise – the consultancy supporting Cupar Development Trust with the research and business planning. They know the town well having helped with the Trust’s Community Action Plan and Local Place Plan.

The survey findings will help inform that work and future plans for the County Buildings.

Who should take part?

The current survey is aimed at community groups, charities, social enterprises and businesses in Cupar.

If you run, represent or volunteer with one of these organisations, please take a few minutes to respond.

Share what you need, what you could contribute and where you see opportunities.

Residents across Cupar and its catchment can help too. Please pass the survey to the groups, organisations and businesses you know, and encourage them to take part. A conversation with your club, local charity or business could bring a valuable perspective into the review.

Public-sector and third-sector partners, other stakeholders and potential investors also have an important part to play in the wider process to discuss how you could contribute, contact Douglas at Community Enterprise using the details below.

Help the invitation to travel …

Please share this article and the survey link through your networks, newsletters, mailing lists and social media.

If you have received the survey poster or QR code, displaying it somewhere people will see it is another simple way to help.

The more organisations responding, the better the project can understand the needs and opportunities across our community.

Complete the County Buildings survey here.⁠

For questions about the survey or further information, please contact Douglas at Community Enterprise on this email link. 

 

What could the County Buildings make possible for your organisation—and for Cupar?

Please help us find out.

Thank you for reading.

 

Looking for more?

The Strategic Review being undertaken on County Buildings is born out of the Food Station initiative that began four years ago in Cupar.

That was in late 2022 – a massively challenging winter with rising energy costs, the closure of the Lighthouse on Bonnygate as well as a realisation that many were stepping up to help those in need – very much with ‘food’ as the common link.

The Food Bank was and remains at the heart of those discussions and considerations – exploring how a reimagined food hub could be created in Cupar to better support our town and community.

Click here or on the episode image below to hear a conversation with our Food Bank manager, Steve Blake – the challenges they face as we head towards another winter with rising prices as well as the aspirations for a more joined-up approach to the support they and their partners deliver … right across north-east Fife.

 

 

All of our work promoting businesses, community groups, events and local activities is funded by those who subscribe to our support packages. These start at just £200 + VAT for the whole year. Click on this link or the image below for more.