WORK has started to transform an iconic building in the centre of Kincardine into a £500,000 state-of-the art enterprise and training hub.

The development is the first major initiative to tackle economic fallout from last year’s closure of the Longannet Power Station.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust bought the near derelict former Clydesdale Bank building at 2 Kirk Street, in partnership with Fife Council and with the backing of the Scottish Government and the Longannet Task Force.

Nicky Wilson, Scottish trustee and vice chair of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: "The Coalfields Enterprise and Training Hub will be a fantastic state of the art facility which will promote an enterprising communities culture across the Longannet area of Fife.

"The hub’s key priority will be to stimulate the local community by providing community activists, aspiring individuals and enterprising organisations access to a unique facility which encourages collaboration, networking, specialist training, support and business growth as well as access to the services of CRT and our partners."

Once the intense programme of renovation and restoration work is complete, around April next year, the Coalfields Enterprise and Training Hub will offer enterprise, training and employment programmes and it will become home to the CRT’s seven strong staff team in Scotland.

Mr Wilson added: "This project is a huge challenge for the CRT, but also a wonderful opportunity for us to demonstrate our ability to get local people involved in developments that will potentially change their lives.

"I am confident that Pauline Douglas, our head of operations in Scotland, and her team will deliver on the economic targets the task force sets, and this model of working will become a template for future task force operations."

Initially staff will prioritise delivery of job creation and training programmes, and the launch of social enterprises and other businesses.