Why a Food Station?
The heart and soul ...
Food is at the heart and soul of any community: it brings together friends and families – as well as strangers – to meet, discuss and enjoy time out.
It sustains local farmers, producers and a multitude of suppliers – not to mention all of the companies and organisations that rely on their business to trade.
Evidence based
As we have shared, this project is almost three years old. It is based on community engagement and a collaboration of like-minded people who have got us this far.
The Food Station will have cross-cutting themes, including:
- Sustainable/independent future – be viable in business terms as well as addressing the needs of people in Cupar, across the town’s large rural catchment and into the wider region
- Regeneration – bring a derelict, historical site at the very heart of the town back into a meaningful and sustainable use, unlocking the potential for further regeneration in the town centre
- Wealth Creation – support formation and growth opportunities for businesses in the food & drink, creative and tourism sectors
- Employment & Training – provide opportunities for multi-generational training and job creation for people across the region
- Community Support – offer much needed support and services to the local community, families, young people and, in particular, help for the most vulnerable in the local area
- Wellbeing – a focus on and promotion of provenance to support healthy, happy, and fulfilling lifestyles
Trust Chair, Tony Miklinski says: “As a ‘development’ trust, our strategic ambition is to support our community through wealth-creation – reducing and eventually removing the need for funding support from the 3rd and public sectors: to do so, we see this site and the project’s unique prospects as a means to that sustainable end.”
Tony adds: “The number one priority is to save and regenerate an empty property – one with a listed façade – that, without positive action, will continue to deteriorate and threatens to blight the town centre for years to come. Our aim is to bring the property and site back to economically-productive use – delivering tangible community benefits and support.”
Community wealth-building ...
- Regenerate vacant premises
- Provide more retail space
- Create local jobs
- Market Cupar as a visitor destination
- Provide local training
- Improve wellbeing
- Support local community groups
The ‘evidence’ from the Community Action Plan and Local Place Plan demonstrate the desire for and importance of sustainable, local economic development … development that can help to reinvest in our community to the benefit of all.
The key priorities the Food Station will address and meet include:
