Callendar Square owner calls on Falkirk Council to base new HQ in shopping centre

The owner of Falkirk’s Callendar Square is “hopeful” the local authority will base its new headquarters in the struggling shopping facility to help revive the town centre.
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Falkirk Council reached a deal to set up part of its new premises in the former Thomas Cook building in Larbert in late 2020.

With a location for the heart of the £45 million council headquarters and arts centre still to be finalised, Karim Virani, director of Cygnet Properties and Leisure, believes a move into Callendar Square would be a huge boost to the area.

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In August, we broke news of the London-based firm entering into discussions with an unnamed third party over the purchase of the lower level of the centre, where only a handful of businesses remain open.

The majority of stores in Falkirk's Callendar Square are closed due to lockdown restrictions. Picture: Michael Gillen.The majority of stores in Falkirk's Callendar Square are closed due to lockdown restrictions. Picture: Michael Gillen.
The majority of stores in Falkirk's Callendar Square are closed due to lockdown restrictions. Picture: Michael Gillen.

Those talks have since stalled and the latest lockdown has made letting the property doubly difficult.

However, Mr Virani – who says other “large occupiers” have shown interest in the centre – feels it would be in the council's best interest to consider his suggestion.

Mr Virani said: “One of the major questions in the future of the shopping centre is whether Falkirk Council is interested. We all know it needs a new headquarters.

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“The council is looking at a number of sites around the town, one of which is ours.

“There’s a good arrangement for the council to go in because Callendar Square’s such a large site. It’s right on the high street, it’s got good parking and it could really kick-start a regeneration.

“Every High Street is struggling. If the council put their headquarters there, that would lead to other occupiers. It would be a great place for the council to base its investment.

“If they were to look at a smaller site, there wouldn’t be so much scope for extra development so I’m quite hopeful they’ll take an interest but things have moved slowly.”

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The challenges posed by Covid have only convinced Mr Virani of the need for change in the town centre.

He continued: “Because of the pandemic and the high street being so decimated, I really think that’s a driver for the council to put a bit more urgency into the project.

“It’s a helluva lot of money – it’s not to be done on a whim – but the high street is in a state of emergency.

“I would be fully supportive of any site that they might go for but I really hope the council will move things forward for the benefit of the town centre, otherwise it’s really losing its attraction.

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“I personally think Callendar Square is the best option because it will mean there will be development on the bus station and old nightclub sites. All of that area has got potential to become a better offering and be usable.”

A local authority spokeswoman said: “The council is actively considering the options for location of its new headquarters and arts centre facility and has been in contact with a number of landowners in the town centre, including Mr Virani, to consider how the scheme might progress.

“We do hope to conclude this work as quickly as possible with a view to helping the project move forward and to gain the benefits we hope to realise for the town centre.”

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