Possible new use for Dunfermline's former Debenhams store

While we can boast locations ideally suited to the big and small screen, and they're being actively promoted, there's a suggestion that focusing on skilling local people up to work behind the camera could help in persuading media companies to come here and re-use some of our empty buildings.

City councillors Derek Glen and Jean Hall Muir showed interested parties a number of vacant properties, including the former Debenhams, the Kinema restaurant and Johnson's nightclub, and outlined a vision to create a support industry in Dunfermline.

Could the former Debenhams unit be used by film and TV companies? Interested parties were shown round the empty store before Christmas. (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Glen explained: "As a filming location we have interesting old buildings and places but this could be something unique that, over time, Dunfermline could hang its hat on.

"While there are production studios and the like, what is not there in Scotland is a lot of the supporting infrastructure for TV and film, whether that's folk who can work as crew, find accommodation for staff or get into negotiations with service providers.

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"We've got quite a number of old and impressive but unloved buildings in the city centre, like the Erskine Building, the old post office, the Kinema and the like, and there's maybe an opportunity to see if they would be useful for production companies."

With a new Fife College and Dunfermline Learning Campus, a dedicated production suite and opportunities to learn skills such as digital animation visual effects, young people can get the skills needed to work in film and TV.

Cllr Glen said that if they "knitted that together" with a focus on training for important roles behind the scenes, such as set design, costume department and hair and make-up, Dunfermline could fill a gap in the market.

Dunfermline councillor Derek Glen outlined a vision which would see the city develop a support industry for TV and film production. (Image: Fife Council)

He added: "If we can get any kind of participation in TV and film production, or support for it, that may well mean we have a conveyor belt in the future of people who are qualified and we can keep them occupied locally."

Kingsgate manager Neil Mackie told the Press: "We had councillors and a group looking at the viability of available properties, including the former Debenhams, the Kinema and various other places, before Christmas.

"I don't think it'd be a film location, I doubt the next blockbuster is going to be made in Debenhams, but they're looking at costume departments, set departments, things like that.

"I haven't heard anything since, so I don't know if it's got legs, but it's great that there's interest in that kind of venture."

He continued: "It would be fantastic for the city if there was space to do something like that.

"Our town and city centres have changed and Fife Council need to take a flexible approach in planning, allow more change of uses for properties, and bring in more leisure, more alternative uses and more residential to help them evolve."

Within a short drive of Fife are the Wardpark Film and Television Studios at Cumbernauld - the hit series Outlander, parts of which are filmed in Culross, has been produced there - and FirstStage Studios at Leith.

Cllr Glen sees an opportunity for Dunfermline to play a supporting role and while a smaller enterprise, it could potentially re-use multiple empty buildings in the city.

The group who visited Dunfermline were shown empty properties such as the former Kinema buffet restaurant on Carnegie Drive. (Image: Colin Jenkins)

And there are a fair few to choose from.

It's also not clear yet what will happen with the Fife College site which will become vacant when the new campus opens next year.

They're looking for new owners at the former St Andrew's Erskine Church on Pilmuir Street while there would be a certain irony if a film company gave the old cinema on East Port a happy ending.

Plans for a restaurant in the old post office on Queen Anne Street have not progressed, Bruce Street has a number of vacant units while Nationwide are soon to move out of Caledonia House, on the outskirts of the city.

Cllr Glen added: "After Dunfermline was awarded city status, I've been really keen to see a city vision that is bold and inspiring with lots of different parts the community can get on board with.

"What has emerged has been a collection of ideas but not much in the way of a unifying vision, so we wanted to try and build on Dunfermline's strengths but also tap into growing interest in Scotland as a media production destination.

"We're at a very early stage and the focus is on what we can do for the community but also, Jean and I are both members of Dunfermline Regeneration Trust, how we can get some of these empty buildings re-occupied and in use again."

Head of business and employability at the council, Gordon Mole, confirmed the council is "working with Fife/Tayscreen and local stakeholders to investigate opportunities for film production in Dunfermline, based on the great success of Fife as a film location".

Tayscreen, a partnership between the councils of Angus, Dundee City, Fife and Perth & Kinross, that began in 2002, promotes the area for film and TV production and aims to help with anything else that may be needed.

The description of Dunfermline on their website states: "Full of history, there’s the heritage quarter with medieval buildings, 12th century Abbey, royal residence and award-winning museums.

"The city features the Alhambra Theatre, a racetrack, Townhill Country Park and the Carnegie Museum, named after the historic billionaire and world-wide philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, who went from the family weaving business to making his fortune in America."