New training and enterprise hub opens for business

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) invested £250,000 of its own funds to buy and renovate the former Clydesdale Bank Building in Kirk Street in Kincardine, with Fife Council and the Scottish Government providing matched funding from the Scottish Government Local Economic Development Capital Stimulus Grant Fund, supported by the Longannet Task Force.

The Coalfields Training and Enterprise Hub that is now occupied by CRT as their national Headquarters will, from Spring this year, also be a business support and enterprise location for Fife Council and Business Gateway Fife.

This will enable the council and partners to deliver a suite of economic development services, in addition to events and training from the Hub.

CRT Scotland’s ten-strong staff team are now based in the facility that occupies a central position within Kincardine. They are divided into skills-orientated teams, to help tackle the devastating loss of jobs from the closure of Kincardine Power Station, and continue to provide capacity building support to communities across the 89 coalfield communities, in particular the Coalfields Community Futures programme, across central Scotland, including parts of Fife.

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, said: “I am delighted that the Kincardine Training and Enterprise Hub is now open for business. This facility, part funded through the Scottish Government’s Local Economic Development Capital Grant Fund, will be an excellent asset to enterprising individuals, start-ups and businesses with growth aspirations. It will also provide the Enterprise Hub’s tenants with access to a modern facility that will encourage collaboration, networking and business growth.”

Bob Young, Scottish Trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “This really is a game changing moment for the CRT in Scotland. For the first time ever we have a permanent home of our own, and that sends out the message, loud and clear, that the CRT is here to stay in Scotland.

“I want to make it crystal clear that no one in any of Scotland’s Coalfields Communities will be left behind. On the contrary, our new Training and Enterprise Hub with its custom built facilities, will enable us to deliver an even better service across the Scottish coalfields."

Councillor David Ross, Co-Leader of Fife Council and Co-Chair of the Longannet Task Force, said: “I am pleased that Coalfields Regeneration Trust have been able to support the Longannet Task Force and Fife Council in delivering local projects including this training and enterprise hub within Kincardine.

“The partnerships forged with organisations like CRT allow Fife Council, Business Gateway Fife and partners to support local people, employees and businesses to reduce the economic impact of the closure as far as possible.”