Recreating Kirkcaldy ABC Cinema’s history sparks memories and raises smiles
A little piece of Kirkcaldy’s cinematic history has returned to the High Street.
The front of the old ABC Cinema, which has sat empty for over 20 years, has been given a make-over which will spark memories of visits there for generations of folk across the Lang Toun. The old ABC logo has been restored along with a cinema billboard proclaiming ‘Love Kirkcaldy Actually.’
The work was done by artists Lisa Graef and Susan Warner, and completed in just one day.
They even used some of the old red letters from the sign above the door showing which films were screening - they had been saved at the adjacent Kings Theatre.
It’s the latest artistic touch to be brighten the landscape of the town centre thanks to the support of the Kirkcaldy Lottery which was launched by the Adam Smith Global Foundation in September 2024.
The artwork is so authentic some people have actually thought the old cinema was back in use. Dr Gordon Povey, general manager of the foundation , said: “This totally transforms that part of the High Street and has created a lot of smiles already. Some people even think the cinema is opening!”
Sadly, that isn’t going to happen after two decades sitting empty have reduced the building to a dreadful state. Internally it has deteriorated significantly, although many of its original features remain, including the ticket office, and the old refreshment kiosk complete with pumps dispensing soft drinks.
Long-term, the ambition is to bring it down and then bring the site back into use, but while that project needs significant more work, the town’s lottery has brought a touch of colour - and wit - to its front door.
As well as the ABC log, it features mock up film posters for ‘Gone With The Wynd’ and ‘Breakfast At Greggs.’
The Kirkcaldy Lottery was launched with a jackpot of £25,000 - and at least half the proceeds will help fund town centre improvement projects.
The hope was that it would be a great way to inject much-needed cash into improvement projects in the town, and act as a catalyst for other private investments and public spending in the area.
Since launching, it has been instrumental in adding a host of artwork and murals to brighten up shabby, abandoned buildings in the High Street, as well as a giant mural of a young Adam Smith on a gable end in the east end of the High Street.