Kingdom Shopping Centre
The Kingdom Centre is the main shopping destination in Glenrothes, located in the town centre. It is the largest indoor shopping centre in Fife and is one of the largest single-level indoor shopping centres in Scotland with around 40,000 m2 (430,000 sq ft) of (gross) floorspace.[2][3]
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| Location | Glenrothes, Fife and Scotland |
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| Coordinates | 56.19609°N 3.17273°W |
| Address | Glenrothes Town Centre |
| Opening date | 1963 |
| Developer | Neale House / Glenrothes Development Corporation |
| Owner | Mars Pension Trustees Ltd[1] |
| No. of stores and services | 110 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 1 |
| Total retail floor area | 40,000 m2 (430,000 sq ft) |
| Parking | 1,500 |
| Website | kingdomshoppingcentre |
The centre has some of the highest levels of footfall in Fife[2] and currently contains over 100 shop units as well as a variety of cafes, the town's central library and the Rothes Halls- the town's theatre/civic centre. A bingohall, cinema and ten pin bowling alley sit adjacent to the shopping complex. Glenrothes bus station is located next to thesoutheast end of the centre.[3] A M&S Foodhall, an Iceland Food Warehouse and a parade of shops and restaurants[4] was completed in late 2018/early 2019 sitting adjacent to the shopping centre at North Street.
Key stores in the Kingdom Centre include Argos, Boots, Sports Direct, Iceland, JD Sports and New Look.
History
Phase 1
Glenrothes town centre was originally to be built on the same principles of the English new towns such as Stevenage and Bracknell. The centre would comprise a series of shopping streets and squares separated from traffic. The first phase of the Kingdom Centre was built as large modern pedestrian square. A large glazed roof and a modern fountain were incorporated as features in the design. The Golden Acorn Hotel, the town's Post Office and a bus turning circle were all included as part of the development. A Co-Op Department store opened in 1964 at the eastern entrance to the square and a town clock was built as a feature adjacent to the store.[5][6] [7]
Phase 2
The design of the first phase had a number of problems, including a leaking glass roof on the main square, vandalising of the public fountain and experiencing wind tunnel effects due to open and exposed entrances to the square. In 1976 a decision was taken to remove the glazed roof and the fountain and roof over the square at shop fascia height creating an internalised space. The shopping centre was also extended west to the point where Falkland Square is now. A Woolworths store (now Homebargains) was built to anchor the west end of the centre. A Presto supermarket (latterly Dunnes Stores) and the New Glenrothes House office block were built as later additions to the second phase.[5][6]
Phase 3
In 1982 a third phase was built extending the centre further west. The domed Unicorn Square was the principle feature of the third phase and Unicorn House, an office block with distinctive reflective glass, was built to the north of the development. A Gateway supermarket (now New Look, Poundworld and Store 21) anchored the third phase of the shopping centre when it opened.[5][6]
Phase 4
In 1993, with the winding up of the Glenrothes Development Corporation (GDC) on the horizon, a fourth phase was built. This was partially funded with a central government grant to provide any last major projects for the new town. The fourth phase incorporated the Rothes Halls, a multi-purpose community facility with a café, theatre, library and conference facilities.[5][6][7]
A major feature of the fourth phase is Rothes Square complete with a pyramid-shaped glass roof, a hanging triangular clock, circular feature floor design and an "alfresco" style café. A Somerfield supermarket (latterly a Co-Op but currently vacant) anchored the fourth phase of the centre when it first opened.[5][6][7]
Future proposals
A Glenrothes town centre action plan has been developed to create a vision for the wider town centre area. This was informed by a summit that was held in March 2013 which was attended by representatives of the local business community, voluntary groups and other individuals with an interest in the future of Glenrothes Town Centre. In May 2013, it was agreed at Glenrothes Area Committee to approve the Glenrothes Town Centre Action Plan. A range of projects are being delivered to assist in the regeneration of the town centre.[8][9][10] Older parts of the Kingdom Shopping Centre at Albany Gate are proposed to be demolished.[11][12]
References and notes
- "New owners for Kingdom Centre". fifetoday.co.uk. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- "Glenrothes Town Centre Profile" (PDF). Fife Council. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
- "Glenrothes Town Centre Action Plan". williemiller.co.uk. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
- "Concept drawing shows new M&S at heart of new look Glenrothes town centre". The Courier. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- Ferguson, Keith (1982). A History of Glenrothes.
- Ferguson, Keith (1996). A New Town's Heritage, Glenrothes 1948–1995.
- Cowling, David (1997). An Essay for Today- The Scottish New Towns 1947–1997.
- "Glenrothes Town Centre Action Plan Update – Joint report to Glenrothes Area Committee by the Head of Enterprise, Planning & Protective Services and Senior Manager (Policy, Communications & Area Management),Corporate Services pp17-33". Fife Council. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- Neil Henderson (12 March 2014). "Update on Glenrothes town centre regeneration plan". Fife Today / Glenrothes Gazette. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- "£10m project to breathe life into Glenrothes town centre". scottishconstructionnow.com. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
- Neil Henderson (24 February 2016). "Kingdom Centre Co-op demolition will create 'huge potential'". Fife Today / Glenrothes Gazette. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- "Councillor almost ready for 'dance of happiness' as start date given for Glenrothes redevelopment". The Courier. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.