A local hotel group has plans to turn Falkirk’s former registry office into a retail outlet.

Hannigan Hotels lodged an application with Falkirk Council on October 15 – which was subsequently validated on Thursday, October 22 – looking for permission to change the use of the the Old Burgh Buildings, in 12 to 14 Newmarket Street, Falkirk to create a “retail unit”.

The hotel group was given the go ahead by the council to purchase the former registry office in January.

At the time Falkirk councillors were assured £85,000 was the market value for the premises as Hannigan Hotels will need to spend more than £300,000 to renovate the historic property.

The hotel group was given the green light to purchase the building at the start of 2026 (Picture: Submitted)

placeholder image — The hotel group was given the green light to purchase the building at the start of 2026 (Picture: Submitted)

It was stated in January the hotel group had plans to transform the Old Burgh Buildings into a “health and beauty facility”.

Falkirk Council’s head of assets Paul Kettrick told the members of the council executive, the buildings were being sold with “burdens” that would mean the new owner

will have to maintain all of the historical features, internal and external and will not be able to demolish it.

Mr Kettrick said the building, which had been costing the council £60,000 a year to maintain, would also have to go through the planning process as a listed building which would add another layer of protection.

Back in January Councillor Paul Garner said: “This is expected to contribute positively to the town centre economy. I would have liked more income from the sale for the Common Good but taking into cognisance the answers we have heard to questions, I am okay to move this report.”