A PROMINENT building in Dunfermline town centre that's lain empty for around 15 years is set for a "new lease of life" with initial plans that could create 20 jobs.

King Enterprises, run by Asif Hussain, from Kirkcaldy, bought the former registrar's office at 4-8 Abbot Street last year and has submitted proposals to bring the ground floor back into use.

That would see new premises created for Flawless Hair and Beauty, run by Sharon Smith, who helped turn a former pub he owned in Kelty into a salon last year.

A planning statement explained: "Flawless Hair and Beauty have expressed interest in occupying the ground-floor building to continue the success of their existing business located in Kelty, pending planning permission.

"Their business specialises in a one-stop shop for hair, beauty, make-up, fillers and sunbeds.

"Their expansion into the Abbot Street building will create 20 additional jobs for the day-to-day running of their services.

"The salon opening times will be 9am to 9pm and open seven days a week."

Designed by Muirhead and Rutherford Architectural practice in 1912, the three-storey building was used by Fife Council until 2005 and was put up for sale.

The ESPC property history suggests it was sold for £281,250 in October 2006 but no redevelopment has taken place.

It continued: "An additional application will be raised for any change of use required for the complete first and second floors later this year.

"This is to allow the applicant to focus their time and money refurbishing the ground floor as the existing building is in disrepair and has not been maintained in the last 12-15 years.

"This will also allow adequate time to consider the options for the upper floors, depending on the market trends."

The former registrar's office was one of a number of buildings owned previously by Bill Fletcher, the former chairman of Dunfermline Delivers, and his wife, Elaine, that were put up for auction by insolvency firm BDO in June 2018.

The following month, Dunfermline architect Sam Foster, part of a community effort to try to reduce the number of vacant properties in the town, criticised greedy investment firms out to make a quick buck after it transpired that the Abbot Street building was sold at auction for £75,000 – and then put back on the market days later for £220,000.

At the time, he felt the former council offices "would lend itself to a boutique hotel or, with the amazing views, a high-end restaurant”.

The property was later sold to Mr Hussain.

The planning statement added: "This application is an opportunity to bring long-term investment into the area as well as creating an additional 20 jobs.

"The building has remained unoccupied for over 12 years. This application will allow the building to have a new lease of life and will allow visitors visiting the salon to see the building and all of its features, including the surrounding historic

architecture.

"The proposal has minimal alterations to allow the building to be used as a salon, therefore all building features will remain.

"This will help bridge the gap between Maygate and Canmore Street, an area that already has successful retail shops and restaurants.

"It will also help complement the Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries which sits south of the property."