Levelling Up cash to create new cultural space and amphitheatre in Dunfermline withdrawn

The UK Government is set to pull £5 million of funding promised to Dunfermline.

The money was comign from the Levelling Up funds, but this week’s budget from the new Labour Government proposed withdrawing it.

The cash was intended to renovate St Margaret’s House into a new cultural space, repair and restore the city’s B-listed Fire Station Creative building, turn Tower House into an improved cultural space, and create a new amphitheatre for outdoor performances at the Dunfermline Learning Campus.

Preliminary work on all four projects was due to start in October to keep pace with the Government’s tight time scales.

Fife Council Leader David Ross (Labour) said: “We understand the financial pressures facing the new Government and recognise that the £5m was only a provisional allocation.

“Nevertheless, we are very disappointed that it is proposed to withdraw this offer of funding. Further consultation is promised and we will continue to strenuously make the case for the funding necessary to progress these projects.”

Conservative Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Rox McCall called the proposals to withdraw the funding a “betrayal” that would leave the community with nothing.

The money was originally promised to Dunfermline by the former Conservative Government at Westminster.

The cash boost was awarded to the city through the UK’s Levelling Up fund, which aimed to help regenerate town and city centres and high streets.