Cupar, Fife's historic market town, is celebrating after a further £578,500 of funding was earmarked by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The latest funds will be for essential repairs and improvements to the town's historic streetscape and buildings.

The funding, which is distributed through HLF's Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) programme, would complement the £1m already announced by Historic Scotland for a Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) in Cupar.

Councillor Lesley Laird, Executive Member for Business, Enterprise, Economy and Planning said: "This new announcement is great news for Cupar and its regeneration bringing investment and jobs hot on the heels of our successful bid for CARS funding.


"The schemes will allow Fife Council to protect and enhance the external fabric of our notable Cupar landmarks. This includes the Burgh Chambers as well as the historic Closes. To complement these improvements, we plan to build training into all major projects through the creation of private and public sector apprentices.

"These apprenticeships in traditional building skills are very welcome. All this investment will contribute to improving the appearance, attractiveness and functionality of Cupar's town centre and will hopefully attract more people to visit the town."

The Cupar award aims to fund projects including:

• repairs to the B Listed at risk Burgh Chambers– alongside efforts to find a new use



• grants for privately owned historic buildings in need of repair



• funds to promote a solution to the prominent gap site in Bonnygate



• improvements to the County Buildings and the town centre streetscape around key junctions



• repairs and improvements to selected closes

The whole programme will be built around an exciting training scheme in traditional building skills. Funds are earmarked for training for local contractors and new apprenticeships in the private sector and in Fife Council’s Building Services historic buildings squad.

(JP/CD)