The new Falkirk Town Hall could have a transformational impact with 300,000 more people visiting the town centre, and £84.5m in growth and jobs over the next 25 years, according to an update report to Elected Members.
The Town Hall proposal includes a regional theatre, a large auditorium to provide the civic centre for the Council area, a stunning new central library and learning hub, a Central Advice and Support Hub, and a café and bar area.
Pictured: An artist impression of the proposed Falkirk Town Hall
The venue is the catalyst for the Council's masterplan for the regeneration of the High Street and wider area. The project is also the centrepiece of the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal which has secured a £100m of funding from the UK and Scottish Governments.
The report updates that costs to create the new Town Hall have risen since 2019 in line with construction inflation to £62.84m.
A further £5m of contingency is being proposed to protect the Council from unforeseen issues, along with £2m for upgrading of public realm around the high street. This takes the total cost of the overall project to £69.84m.
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 £50m. These can only be released at a later point once the Council is in a financially sustainable position.
The report also highlights that with the rise in business rates the venue could cost up to £1.5m per year to operate but adds that officers are already working on plans that could bring this down significantly prior to opening in mid-2028. This work will be essential given the Council’s ongoing significant budget challenges.
At the Executive meeting later this month (23 January), Councillors will be asked to approve a public consultation on the new venue (pictured above). 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 £148m 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 £3m in growth every year. This impact, in addition to the benefits flowing from the £148m 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."