Dunfermline City Conference prompts vision talks for city's future

The first ever Dunfermline City Conference took place on Tuesday 27th June at Glen Pavilion, in the heart of the city’s Pittencrieff Park. The event brought together over 300 attendees and featured presentations and workshops from community, tourism, economic and government stakeholders.

During his opening remarks to the conference, Leader of Fife Council, Councillor David Ross said:

“It is really encouraging to see so many of our community partners in attendance, and it shows that there is a real determination from everyone in Dunfermline to build on city status and seize the opportunities that it presents.

“This city conference will define the next chapters in Dunfermline’s story, and we are looking forward to working with all of our community partners to build a stronger, greener and fairer Dunfermline.”

Two pechakucha sessions asking “not what your city can do for you but what you can do for your city” were ran with representatives from tourism, retail, and cultural organisations. Donald Mackenzie, Chair of Dunfermline and West Fife Local Tourism Association, highlighted how important partnership working is for the development of the city.

Hilary Roberts (Fife For IndustryManager) and Caroline Warburton (Destination Development Director (Central & NE) at VisitScotland) ran tourism workshops focusing on key themes, assets, and tourism ambition for the city. The information gathered will be used to form part of a Dunfermline tourism strategic evaluation commissioned by Fife For Industryto help shape the future of tourism for the city.

Reflecting on the workshops, Councillor James Calder, Convenor of City of Dunfermline Area Committee said:

“A vital theme to take from the workshops today is partnership. Of course, the council has an important part to play in Dunfermline’s future, but all our community stakeholders are our partners in this endeavour.

In closing the event, Gordon Mole, Head of Business and Employability at Fife Council said:

"We have a huge number of people here from several organisations, and we want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to capitalise on Dunfermline’s prosperity moving forward."

The event is set to be the first of several discussions moving forward to work with community partners and provide opportunities for all stakeholders to voice their opinions and concerns and collaboratively discuss the shape Dunfermline will take as Scotland’s 8th City.

Full Fife Council Press Release