A new community engagement programme has been launched to help ensure that the proposed new Falkirk Town Hall ‘works for the people who’ll use it’.
Proposed to open in late 2028, the multi-purpose venue aims to bring together cultural, civic and community life, with spaces for performances, events, classes, support services, and more.
The survey is live and open until July 30. Falkirk Council said that those taking part in the engagement will help inform the next stage of design and development – including how the building should work day-to-day.
Forming part of a wider engagement programme, the local authority will also hold future community drop-in events, targeted focus groups, and a pre-application consultation, as well as the launch of a dedicated project website to showcase plans.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said, “The new Falkirk Town Hall is one of the most significant projects being undertaken by the council. To ensure it is successful it is vital that we gather as many views as possible from our residents, local groups and businesses. This is their opportunity to shape what it offers and how it operates so that we meet the needs of local communities.
“It is also a great opportunity for us to showcase the benefits of the new town hall to residents across the council area. This project will reinvigorate Falkirk town centre and generate economic benefits for the area that outweigh the investment that goes into it. It is also the lynchpin project in the £140m Falkirk and Grangemouth growth deal and needs to go ahead to ensure we are able to draw down that investment from the UK and Scottish governments.
“I’m sure there will be plenty of different opinions, and this exercise will give us the opportunity to gather those and help inform future decisions as we move towards submitting the planning application.
“With the engagement programme now underway, I’d encourage everyone to take part in shaping what this space could become.”
The new Falkirk Town Hall project represents a £69.84m investment in the area and is set to play a central role in the regeneration of Falkirk town centre. It will include a regional theatre, library, studio spaces, café and bar, creative areas and a small council office. Once open, it’s expected to attract up to 300,000 visitors a year, boosting footfall and supporting local businesses.
An economic impact assessment forecasts that the venue – to be built on the site of the former Callendar Square Shopping Centre and Antonine Hotel – could generate around £84.5m in growth over the next 25 years.
