IT’S back to business for Fire Station Creative as they re-open the doors to their “COVID-19 free zone” tomorrow (Friday).

The popular Dunfermline arts hub has benefitted from a special sterilisation treatment which should keep hard surfaces clean from the virus for 30 days.

It is initially opening again on a Friday (5pm to midnight) and Saturday (noon to midnight) thanks to support from Creative Scotland, Third Sector Resilience Fund, Business Support Fund and Carnegie Dunfermline Trust.

A new exhibition will be on display for visitors with Ian Moir, managing director, stating that the venue has “never looked better”.

He said: “Our opening hours will be limited to Fridays and Saturdays for the first few weeks, until we can fully re-establish ourselves.

“We’ve arranged a fascinating exhibition of historic photographs from the original Dunfermline Howff Folksong Club that date back to 1961.

“Our loyal tenants are returning to their studios and the table bookings for the cafe/bar are flooding in – it’s great to see!"

A one-metre distancing rule applies inside the premises and it will be table service only.

Ian added: “Visitors may like to know that the old fire station is now a COVID-19 free zone since we commissioned a special sterilisation treatment which keeps hard surfaces safe for 30 days.”

Lockdown saw the venue close in March with staff put on furlough.

A grant from the Third Sector Resilience Fund allowed them to give tenants a "significant break" on their rent.

Now ready to fire again, the arts centre received help from Carnegie Dunfermline Trust to renovate their patio so the outside space can be used for summer exhibitions, sculptures and art fairs.

There are also new picnic tables in place so visitors can enjoy a drink or lunch outside.

“With all this generous support, our facility has been able to adapt and re-emerge in the strongest possible condition,” he said.

The exhibition in the gallery is titled ‘Dunfermline Howff Folksong Club - An Exhibition of Historic Photographs’.

This display is taken from the private album of the late John Watt who was one of the key founders of the folk club in 1961. The original ‘Howff’ was a cellar on Chalmers Street, Dunfermline, and was home to the second folksong club in Scotland.

Photographs include, Ewan MacColl, Barbara Dickson, Jeannie Robertson, Matt McGinn, Jack Beck, Hamish Henderson, John Watt and more, and the exhibition will run from July 24 to August 29.