FALKIRK’S proposed new town hall could lead to 300,000 more people visiting the town centre and generate £84.5 million over the next 25 years, a new report has found.
Plans for the build of a new venue are the centrepiece of the Falkirk and Grangemouth growth deal, which secured £100 million in funding from the Scottish and UK governments.
Proposals would see the build of a regional theatre, a large auditorium to provide the civic centre for the council area, a new central library and learning hub, a central advice and support hub, and a café and bar area.
The report, which was addressed to elected members at Falkirk Council, noted that costs to build the new town hall have risen since 2019 in line with construction inflation to £62.84 million.
A further £5 million of contingency is being proposed to protect the council from unforeseen issues, along with £2 million for upgrading of public realm around the high street. This takes the total cost of the overall project to £69.84 million.
The report asks councillors to note that the revised construction costs will be addressed at the March 2025 budget meeting through the in-principal allocation of service concessions from the council’s available funds of more than £50 million. The funds can only be released at a later point once the council is in a financially sustainable position, it added.
At the executive meeting later this month, councillors will be asked to approve a public consultation on the new venue. This will give residents and businesses the opportunity to give their views on what the venue should offer and inform the final design.
Malcolm Bennie, director of place services at Falkirk Council, said, “The new Falkirk Town Hall is the key to unlocking lasting regeneration of the town centre by adding significant new footfall to the high street, as well as securing the recently agreed £148 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal.
“The venue would provide a regional home for creative productions like touring theatre, music and popular comedians, create an accessible environment for the civic functions of the Council, host a stunning new library and learning hub for all ages, and a modern café and bar area for the general public to gather.
“These improvements are predicted to bring hundreds of thousands of extra visitors to the town centre which would be worth more than £3 million in growth every year. This impact, in addition to the benefits flowing from the £148 million growth deal make this a worthwhile investment for the future of the whole of the Falkirk area.
“It is now up to councillors to consider if our team can go out and engage with the public, business and local stakeholders such as amateur production groups to ensure the end vision fully matches the needs of the local area. If agreed, then a full business case on the town hall would come back for approval in 2025/26.”
