Elgin Town Hall revamp set to begin next year
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Work could begin on rejuvenating Elgin Town Hall in May next year – and the redesigned building is expected to welcome audiences back in 2027.
The hall is the first phase of the £31 million cultural quarter project for the town, which also includes bringing Grant Lodge back into use.
A full business case is expected to go before Moray Council in August.
Elgin Community Council received a progress update on the scheme at their meeting on Tuesday evening.
Project manager Claire English told the meeting it was her ambition that the town hall redevelopment would have a “big positive impact”.
She said: “We need to be honest about what we’re dealing with. It is a big challenge but also a massive opportunity.
“It’s a long process and it will take a lot of belief and commitment.”
LDN Architects were awarded the contract for the town hall redesign in November.
At the moment there are accessibility issues, with people only able to get to some rooms by walking through the main auditorium.
The B-listed brutalist style building opened its doors in 1961 and was extended during the mid-1970s.
Grant Lodge in Cooper Park will be the focus of the next phase of project.
Also B-listed, the aim for the former library is to turn it into a multi-functional space with a café or , plus rooms available to hire.
Meanwhile, private investment is being sought for a 60 to 100 bedroom luxury hotel within the cultural quarter.
The hotel project is one of eight that, together, form the £100m Moray Growth Deal, which intends to directly create 450 jobs and attract 50,000 additional tourists to the area.
Amongst the others are an aerospace technology centre, a business enterprise hub and a manufacturing and innovation centre.
In addition, 300 affordable homes will be built as part of the deal, which is funded by the UK and Scottish governments, Moray Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
