New Falkirk Town Hall designs to be unveiled for residents to have their say
Residents are being invited to have a look at emerging designs and concepts for the new Falkirk Town Hall and voice their thoughts.
A public drop-in event being held on the second floor of Falkirk Library on Tuesday, October 27, from 3pm to 8pm, hopes to gather the opinions of locals before a planning application is submitted.
Architects and the project team behind the designs will be in attendance to meet members of the public, talk about the process behind the proposals, and answer any questions.
Feedback from the event will be used to shape the project as it progresses to its next stages. Visualisations and layouts of plans for a new civic space alongside the Town Hall will be on show too.
The building and surrounding public spaces will reshape the former Callendar Riggs Square site, with a main focus on bringing new activity and investment to the eastern end of Falkirk High Street.
The proposed civic space features landscaped gardens, seating, spaces for public gatherings, and interactive landscape features to draw people into the town centre.
The Town Hall itself hopes to bring together civic, cultural, and community functions by including a theatre, studio theatre, public library, public studios, council chamber, council workspaces, advice and support services, and café facilities.
By merging services and activities currently delivered from a number of locations into a single building, the council hopes that people will use the space to meet, learn, work, and participate in community events.
The building has been designed around a large central atrium that would act as a shared public space.
Councillor Paul Garner, acting leader of Falkirk Council said: "Creating a new Town Hall is a significant investment so it is absolutely essential it meets the needs of all the communities within Falkirk Council. That is why it's so important that people have the opportunity to see what's being proposed and tell us what they think before plans are finalised.
"This event will give residents the chance to speak directly with the architects and project team, understand the thinking behind the designs and help shape the final planning application.
"We want people to come along, see the designs, tell us how they might use the spaces and share their views. Feedback from the community will help us refine the plans as the project moves forward.”
The project is expected to move into the planning stage during winter this year and, subject to planning approval, funding, procurement, and other statutory requirements, the council anticipates construction could begin in autumn 2027, with the building expected to open in the tail end of 2029.
The £70m project is supported through the £178m Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal that includes a £6m contribution from the UK and Scottish Governments. The Deal is supporting regeneration, skills, infrastructure and investment across the area.
Paul Stallan, from Stallan Brand Architects, said: “This is an important stage in the design process and we're keen to hear what local people think about the plans.
"The aim is to create a building that celebrates Falkirk’s status and civic role while providing modern, flexible spaces that can support culture, learning, public services and community use for decades to come.
"The feedback we receive will help refine the designs before the next stage of the project.”