Fife Council has said repair work to Hew Scott Hall, St Nicholas Tower and Wester Anstruther Town Hall are continuing to progress well.

Work to the roadside frontage of the Town Hall is almost complete, with part of the scaffolding having been removed and allowing both lanes of High Street West and Elizabeth Place to re-open.

The pavement in front of the building will however remain closed as work is due to continue on the project until November.

The St Nicholas Tower and Hew Scott Hall buildings have been transferred from the Church of Scotland to Fife Historic Buildings Trust, who have also purchased Wester Anstruther Town Hall from Fife Council.

-- Advertisement --

On completion of the work, the repaired historic buildings will be transferred to the Anstruther Improvements Association (AIA) and renamed The Dreel Halls. The AIA are working up proposals for a second phase project to upgrade the building and its facilities for performing arts events and community activities.

Jim McLeish, Service Manager, Enterprise, Planning & Protective Services at Fife Council, said: "The £700,000 being spent on Hew Scott Hall this year is the first stage in giving the building a new lease of life. This is a key project in the Anstruther Townscape Heritage Initiative and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme."

The repair work is being carried out by contractors John Smart & Sons, Kirkcaldy and the project is being overseen by ARC Architects, Cupar. Fife Council is supporting the work and it is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, Fife Environment Trust and Leader.

(JP/CD)