Fife Council

The council’s North East Fife area committee has committed funding to Cupar Development Trust to help get the innovative project off the ground.

The building in Ferguson Square, formerly Argos, has lain empty for some time and councillors say the ambitious project offers huge potential.

It is anticipated that the Cupar Food Station will host an expanded Cupar Foodbank, Community Larder, commercial kitchen and cafe; a GP referral scheme where patients could be prescribed fresh vegetables to tackle poor health outcomes; an artisanal food and drink market for local producers, supporting community wealth building and providing an income stream to sustain the Cupar Food Station; and an event space for community groups.

Funding from the Local Community Planning Budget and Cupar Common Good Fund will go towards the legal fees and technical study report required before the project can continue.

Councillor Jonny Tepp, convener of the North East Fife area committee, said: “This is a great example of community empowerment and community wealth building.

“It is intended that this project will be financially self-sustaining once up and running and revenue from potential enterprise uses will be used to support the welfare uses.

“This is a great idea and if it proves feasible would add a really valuable asset to Cupar’s Town Centre, while also regenerating a disused building.

“I look forward to hearing more about progress in the future.”

The award of grant towards the costs of the technical study, and thereafter legal fees associated with the acquisition of the building through lease or purchase, will enable Cupar Development Trust to seek further grant funding to complete the acquisition and refurbishment of the building.