Plans for a new eight-screen cinema, together with four new restaurant/bar units within the Mercat Shopping Centre in Kirkcaldy, are to go on exhibition to the public for the first time this month.

LaSalle Investment Management, the shopping centre’s asset manager, is proposing a cinema and leisure facility on the site of the former swimming pool that is annexed onto the Mercat Shopping Centre.

A pre-application notification has been lodged with Fife Council in advance of a formal planning application being submitted.

The public exhibition and consultation will take place within the Mercat Shopping Centre on Friday, 24 March 12.30 – 17.30, and Saturday, 25 March 09.30­ – 13.30.

Leader of Fife Council and Councillor for the Kirkcaldy North Ward, Cllr David Ross, said: “I really welcome this proposal from LaSalle Investment Management that could deliver an exciting major town centre re-development scheme.

“Whilst this is at an early stage in the planning process and there’s no guarantee, at this stage, that it will go ahead, we have been working with LaSalle over the last few years, and I believe their proposal is credible and realistic.

“This development proposal has the potential to deliver real economic benefits to the town centre and the wider community in Kirkcaldy. It would provide another significant sign of positive change in Kirkcaldy town centre, as well as providing the potential to roll out further investment across the town centre.”

Cllr Neil Crooks, Councillor for the Kirkcaldy North Ward, added: “Fife Council and the Kirkcaldy Ambitions Partnership Group have made substantial investments to date in revamping the Kirkcaldy Galleries, new high street public realm, improvement to the esplanade multi storey car park, reduced car parking rates, installation of town centre WiFi, new signage and interpretation, the opening of the Adam Smith Heritage Centre and work to maximise the potential of Kirkcaldy’s waterfront. We hope that this important work will continue to act as a catalyst for other new town centre regeneration projects to come forward that enhance Kirkcaldy’s night time and leisure offerings.”

Planning application for the scheme is expected to be submitted to Fife Council in Summer 2017, subject to any issues that may arise from the pre application notification process.