Works starts on demolishing former Kitty's nightclub in Kirkcaldy

The former Kitty's nightclub in Kirkcaldy is being demolished.

Work started on the building in Hunter Street yesterday (Thursday, September 14) almost two weeks after it was destroyed by a fire.

The blaze on September 3 destroyed the building on Hunter Street, leaving it unstable and dangerous.

As many as eight fire crews were at the scene, including two height appliances. They spent over 15 hours extinguishing the flames.

Three 15-year-old boys have been charged in connection with the fire.

Fife Council say, following the fire, it was damaged beyond repair and knocking the Kitty's building down was the only option.

The area was cordoned off to keep the public safe, this and any road closures will remain in place until it's safe to remove them.

Nigel Kerr, Head of Protective Services said: “Demolition work has started which should end the disruption experienced by local residents and businesses in the area. I’d like to thank everyone for their patience while essential work by Scottish Gas Network was carried out to make the site safe.

“Now that demolition has started, we hope to get residents back in their homes and businesses back open as quickly as possible.”

Demolition work will take place in two stages.

The first will see it brought down to first floor level.

Work will then pause whilst the local gas supplies are reconnected and contractors see what parts they can save that are of historic value to the local community.

Fife Council's in discussions with the owner of the Kitty's building to see what can be done to preserve any items of historical interest and keep them safe. Full demolition will then continue.

Nigel added: “To see such a beautiful historic building reduced to rubble brings home the devastating impact that anti-social behaviour has on the whole community. It just wasn’t viable, or safe, to save the building and our priority has to be public safety and the needs of the local residents and businesses. 

“We will be communicating directly with affected residents and businesses to let them know when it’s safe to return. Roads will also re-open when it's safe and we'll work as quickly as we can to get the town centre back to normal.”

The latest fire was the 3rd time in a year Kitty's has been alight, it briefly reignited a few days later on September 6.

The former nightclub closed in 2019, with plans to convert the site into flats being lodged with Fife Council in December, but these have been withdrawn.

The property, a former Post Office, has been put up for sale as a nightclub or redevelopment opportunity.