Falkirk Council expects to complete the purchase of the Callendar Square shopping centre and the Antonine Hotel in January 2024 according to the latest update report going to a meeting of Falkirk Council on 6 December.

The high street sites will be used to build the new Falkirk Town Hall which will bring a theatre, library and civic space to help regenerate the town centre.

The report also details progress on the now soon-to-be-completed demolition of the former Falkirk Town Hall and Municipal Buildings site in preparation for its sale for potential development generating revenue to help fund the replacement venue.

Timescales for the new Town Hall are also included in the report with demolition expected to start in February 2024, planning application submitted by March 2025 and construction starting in summer 2025 if progress is made according to plan.

Members will hear that financing the project continues to be challenging. Current plans involve using funds from the Scottish and UK Government Growth Deal, the sale of surplus Council sites and the existing capital budget, but close monitoring will continue to take place.

The report also explains that until a final business case is prepared with details on all aspects of the project, only an estimated cost can be offered at this time. The Council will continue to be updated as the project progresses.

Malcolm Bennie, Director of Place Services, said: “We hope Elected Members will be pleased to hear the purchase of the Callendar Square and Antonine Hotel sites is so close to completion and that this major transformation project is progressing at pace.

“It is also encouraging to see the former Municipal Buildings site almost cleared and that it will be available for sale in 2024 with the money raised going towards the cost of the new Falkirk Town Hall.

“Together these projects represent a major regeneration of the Falkirk Town Centre and will have positive benefits for the entire Falkirk area. We hope elected members will welcome the progress being made and look forward to answering other questions on the project in general.”

Read the report here.