FALKIRK Council is set to buy Callendar Square and use the site to build a replacement town hall.
The move follows a council meeting to consider a report that put forward the High Street retail and leisure centre as its preferred location for the building.
Council officers outlined how the multi-million pound project could bring ‘transformational change’ to the town centre and act as a catalyst for wider regeneration.
The proposed site was chosen after discussions with various landowners identified several options. Callendar Square and the Antonine Hotel emerged as the strongest and most suitable location, and a price has now been negotiated with the owner.
The local authority said the cost remains commercially confidential at this time but will be made public as soon as possible.
Construction of the new Falkirk Town Hall will potentially start in 2026 once the site has been legally acquired, existing retailers relocated, and buildings demolished.
The Callendar Square car park will not be included in the deal and will continue to be operated by the existing owners. Falkirk Council will retain a first option to purchase the facility should it ever be offered for sale in future.
The purchase of Callendar Square will allow the former Municipal Buildings site to be marketed by the council for sale – providing part-funding for the town hall project and further regeneration in the town centre. In addition, the local authority will receive a £6 million contribution for the project from Scottish/UK Governments as part of the Falkirk Growth Deal.
The new Falkirk Town Hall will include a central library, support hub, civic centre, and small office space. The building will provide a destination for arts, culture, and heritage for the area.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said, “This is a really significant day for our area. The replacement Falkirk Town Hall has been debated for many years and so it was brilliant to see the wide and deep support for this proposal both amongst councillors, and the town centre community.
“The Callendar Square site is the best one for Falkirk Council. It is big enough for our needs, it will provide a prominent location that will improve the look and feel of the town centre, and the removal of vacant retail space will improve demand for shopping space in the High Street.”
