Community must have a voice in Mossmorran talks

Community body My Cowdenbeath CIC has launched a survey to gather local views on the closure of the ExxonMobil plant at Mossmorran.

The survey is open now and will close on 19th December 2025, allowing locals to have their say on the closure, the impact on the local community and how both the UK and Scottish Governments might mitigate these impacts.

Group director, Stuart Duffy, has welcomed the setting up of a Taskforce to spearhead the response to ExxonMobil’s announcement, but said it was important for locals to have their say and be represented in the ongoing talks about the future of the local economy:

“We are encouraged that early work has been done to establish the Taskforce, but were disappointed there were no attendees from the local community invited. We’ve asked for this to change moving forward.

“The impact of the closure, with a gradual winding down from April 2026 will inevitably have an impact on the local economy, so we’re asking for measures and investment to support local growth.

“We all know the area suffered as a result of the mines closing many years ago, and there’s been a real lack of a coherent industrial strategy for the area, so we want to see action, not talk.

“Poverty has a grip in so many of our neighbourhoods across the wider Cowdenbeath Area, so we hope that with the attention and focus on the Mossmorran closure, this could lead to a proper conversation about what the area needs.

“Lots of work has gone into the various Local Place Plans across our communities, with the Cowdenbeath plan due to be published in the new year. Any forthcoming investment must take account of these local priorities so people feel their area is improving and prospects for jobs and a positive future are within reach.”

The group has also written to both governments as well as Fife Council Leader, Cllr David Ross outlining their requests and the case for significant investment locally.

You can have your say on the impact of the Mossmorran closure by answering a few simple questions at the link below:

Mossmorran 2026 and beyond – have your say