New Falkirk arts centre and HQ could be open by 2023

The leader of Falkirk Council says she wants to move ahead quickly with plans for a new arts centre and council headquarters which could be open as early as 2023.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn with Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson (Pic: Michael Gillen)Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn with Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson (Pic: Michael Gillen)
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn with Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson (Pic: Michael Gillen)

Councillors voted last week to press ahead with plans for a new multi-purpose venue that will replace the current town hall.

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn said: "I am pleased that the majority of members were able to see the bigger picture in supporting the decision for the replacement HQ and town hall including the relocation of other back office staff.

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"This is a significant step forward which will not just transform the way the council works, but also our town centre and support our recovery plans for the district."

The priority now is to work with developers and local land owners to find a location and design that will benefit the town centre the most.

Mrs Meiklejohn said: "A workshop is being arranged for elected members to meet with site owners and developers to consider what is possible on each of the sites within Falkirk town centre."

Councillors have pledged that the new building will be in Falkirk’s town centre, and it will have a 550-space theatre with more modern backstage facilities that will allow it to host bigger shows than the current town hall can.

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The new building will also accommodate a new library, an advice hub and a cafeteria.

The centre will also have some offices for council staff, although will be nothing like the size of the current municipal buildings, with around 130 workstations.

Mrs Meiklejohn also says that people who are expected to use the new facility should be asked for their opinions on the new facility.

She said: "Now that there has been commitment made this will allow further engagement on what this multi-faceted building can provide.

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"It will be important to engage with community as well as the arts and culture sector, including those who use the existing town hall, on what a new post- Covid facility might be.

"It is anticipated that this will require to be very much a multi-functional and flexible space to enable a wide range of uses and performances.

"There may also be opportunities, depending on the capacity of the finally agreed site, to increase the number of staff located within the new office accommodation."

Falkirk Council also hopes to move quickly to get staff - many of whom are currently working from home - into office accommodation at Block 4, Central Business Park, Larbert (the former Thomas Cook building) by next year.

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This will contain 280 workspaces plus an IT data centre, a resilience and out-of-hours hub and training facilities.

A further 210 workstations will be available at the Falkirk Community Stadium by 2022/23.

As well as the municipal buildings, Abbotsford House in Bainsford and Sealock House in Grangemouth are also expected to close.

Mrs Meiklejohn said: “We are transforming how we do things as a council and by closing inefficient large buildings, we can make vast savings through relocation."

> Kirsty Paterson is the Local Democracy Reporter for Falkirk

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