UNCERTAINTY surrounds the future of Dunfermline's James Bank Hostel after its operators confirmed they were looking into alternative methods of homeless service provision.

Kingdom Support and Care have stressed that no final decision has yet been made but they are looking into possible changes.

Doubt over the future of the facility, which sits in James Street opposite the now-closed Debenhams store, was raised last week at Dunfermline Sheriff Court after a solicitor said his client was staying at the hostel but had been told it was set to close.

However, a spokesperson for Kingdom Support and Care said no decision had yet been made.

"Kingdom is in the early stages of considering how the services they provide for people who are homeless can be updated to meet their needs more effectively," he said.

"No decisions about the future of the hostel have been taken, however, alternatives to this are being considered.

"Kingdom remains committed to supporting homelessness in Fife and any change agreed will include provision to equal the services currently provided."

Fife Council service manager Gavin Smith confirmed that the council worked with a range of partners, including the Kingdom Group, to improve and transform services to households that are homeless or potentially homeless.

Questions have been asked previously about the hostel's future with calls in 2011 for it to be moved from the town centre so there would be "less temptations" for drug addicts staying there who had been caught committing crimes against nearby businesses.

Back in 2008, then Dunfermline councillor Willie Sullivan said many cases of shoplifting and petty crime in the centre could be traced back to the James Bank Hostel.

His comments were backed at that time by Dunfermline area Chief Inspector Bob Baker and Neil Mackie, manager of the adjacent Kingsgate shopping centre.

Dunfermline Central councillor Garry Haldane welcomed news of the review.

"As long as they are looking at it, it it an admittance that something is needing done," he said. "It is what to do with the homeless. I think some people are able to look after themselves while some people are not. It is a difficult one.

"They have to have £15 to get into the hostel then because it is drug-related, they have to beg to get money for their drug debts then for their own habits. It is a vicious circle.

"They try and get out and get given a council house and they cannot cope. It is needing a multi-agency approach. There needs to be a Government initiative and Government funding."