£300k for Forres Town Hall in UK budget
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Forres Town Hall will receive £300,000, it has been announced in the Chancellor's budget today.
The funding is being provided for a project to regenerate the building, the total cost of which has been estimated at £3.4million
Moray's MP has welcomed the commitment to provide almost 10% of what will be required.
Douglas Ross said: "This is terrific news for Forres and the town hall regeneration project.
"The tireless work by the Forres Area Community Trust has brought this project to a point where they were ultimately successful in getting the green light from the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund.
"The town hall is an iconic part of Forres. The plans by the trust will ensure that remains the case for future generations.
"The building right now is in urgent need of upgrading so this £300,000 funding award is a real shot in the arm.
"As someone who has used the hall for many years I have been proud to be a backer of these plans from the start."
Moray Council leader Kathleen Robertson also expressed her pleasure over today's surprise announcement.
Councillor Robertson (Forres, Conservative) said: "I know how hard the Forres Area Community Trust have been working to secure sources of funding – and now the Chancellor has delivered a huge investment for them at the heart of his budget.
"The plans for the town hall are ambitious and wide-ranging and will make the building fit for purpose in the 21st century and a vibrant and modern asset for the area.
"This six-figure funding boost will help move those plans forward significantly.
"As the local councillor as well as the leader of the council, I am committed to working closely with the trust to secure further such sources of funding, considering over £3 million is required to make them a reality."
After Moray Council decided to close the town hall building in 2017, the Forres Area Community Trust took over its management the following year.
With financial support from the Scottish Land Fund, the trust acquired its ownership in March 2021
