News
Planning Consent for Kingsgate Extension
The long-awaited £50 million transformation of Dunfermline’s premier retail destination – the Kingsgate shopping centre - has this week been given the go-ahead by Fife Council following a two year consultation period.
A new extension at the shopping centre by owners, Mivan, will almost double the existing retail offer to 370,000 sq ft and be anchored by a 70,000 sq ft (6,425 sq m) Debenhams department store. Debenhams join Marks & Spencer as anchors of the new Kingsgate shopping centre. The addition of a second major department store at the opposite entrance is a welcome addition to Kingsgate, creating a balance throughout the centre, optimising the space and bringing parity to rents.
Neil Mackie, Centre Manager at Kingsgate, said:
“We are delighted with this important milestone for Kingsgate, and that Debenhams will be coming to Dunfermline to anchor the new extension. Their commitment at such an early stage is clear evidence of the market's confidence in Kingsgate, and its importance to the region.”
The Kingsgate extension will create an additional 164,000 sq. ft of retail over two levels with over 700 car parking spaces above on three levels. It is anticipated that works will commence on site later this month, with opening of the new extension scheduled for Summer 2008.
Kingsgate will be extended on the site immediately to the east of the existing centre, currently occupied by the bus station and a multi-storey car park. A new bus station will be built at Queen Anne Street and open in winter 2007/08. Until then, Mivan will be working closely with the Council to provide a temporary car park and temporary bus interchange.
The Kingsgate development is hugely significant for Dunfermline. As well as improving the quality of retail in the town, there will also be significant improvement to public transport amenities, making Dunfermline more accessible for visitors from the wider Fife region
“We are delighted by the support that our plans have received from Fife Council. We are aware that the changes planned will cause some disruption, however, Mivan is committed to working with the Council to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum" said Martin Lynch, Project Manager for the development.
The architects for the new extension are Award-winning Keppie Design.
The letting agents for the scheme are Eric Young & Co and Cushman & Wakefield.
