Kirkcaldy Town House is to reopen next week following the completion of a £3.2m modernisation and refurbishment project.

Under the programme of works, a new Customer Service Centre means most council services are now accessible under one roof, including local office services, housing advice, registration, social work and community learning and development.

More than 300 council employees can now be accommodated in the Grade B-listed building, which also provides enhanced civic facilities such as a marriage room, committee rooms and main chamber, a refurbished café and additional space for other uses, such as adult learning classes. Elsewhere, a full-sized Changing Places facility has been installed, to include a height adjustable changing trolley and full room hoist cover.

The work at the Town House is part of a wider, five-year programme which aims to reduce the number of properties Fife Council owns or leases from 95, to just 27.

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Commenting on the project, Councillor Neil Crooks, Chair of the Kirkcaldy Area Committee, said: "I know the Town House closure has caused disruption for some people and others have questioned the amount being spent, but this refurbishment has safeguarded this local landmark and provided a modern civic centre that thousands will use and which we can all be proud of.

"The Customer Services Centre will be a great asset for the community with a welcoming front desk, private meeting rooms for interviews with housing officers or social work staff, well-equipped rooms for community training courses and refurbished marriage room.

"The new open plan layout increases the office space available, so the Town House will now bring more council employees to the town centre as well as customers.

"Following the refurbishment of Kirkcaldy Galleries and the opening of the new Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre, this is another welcome investment to build a vibrant town centre and healthy local economy."

Executive spokesperson for Corporate Services & Finance, Councillor Linda Erskine, added: "We've closed 43 buildings since 2009, with two more due to close this year, but at the same time we're investing in the buildings we're keeping open.

"Facilities, like the Town House, are being designed and refurbished to a corporate standard, so they are more sustainable, energy efficient and suitable for modern public services."

(JP/IT)