Falkirk Council launches engagement programme on new town hall
The Council has launched a community engagement programme to help ensure the new Falkirk Town Hall works for the people who’ll use it.
Proposed to open in late 2028, the multi-purpose venue aims to bring together cultural, civic and community life, with spaces for performances, events, classes, support services and more.
By taking part in the engagement, your feedback will help inform the next stage of design and development – including how the building should work day to day for you, your family and your community.
The usage survey is now live and open until Wednesday 30 July 2025. By taking part in the survey, you’ll be able to tell the Council:
- What kinds of events and activities you’d like to see
- How you, your family or community group might use the building
- What would make the venue feel welcoming, accessible and inclusive
What’s happening and when
The survey is just one part of a much wider engagement programme running from April to early December 2025 and includes:
- Community drop-in events: Informal in-person sessions where you can explore the proposals, speak with council officers, and find out how to take part in both the usage survey and the formal consultation. An online session is also available for those who cannot attend in-person.
- Targeted focus groups: These sessions will bring together local organisations, arts groups, library users, young people, and those with protected characteristics to explore specific needs and ideas.
- Pre-Application Consultation (PAC): As the new town hall is classed as a major development, a formal consultation will focus on the building’s external design and public spaces. This will include in-person events, a dedicated PAC survey and feedback sessions to explain how public input is being used.
To support the engagement, a dedicated project website has been launched. Built by the Council’s Innovation and Digital Team, the website includes concept designs, internal layout plans, FAQs, and full details on how to take part in the engagement activity.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council, said:
The new Falkirk Town Hall is one of the most significant projects being undertaken by the Council. To ensure it is successful it is vital that we gather as many views as possible from our residents, local groups and businesses. This is their opportunity to shape what it offers and how it operates so that we meet the needs of local communities.
“It is also a great opportunity for us to showcase the benefits of the new town hall to residents across the Council area. This project will reinvigorate Falkirk town centre and generate economic benefits for the area that outweigh the investment that goes into it. It is also the lynchpin project in the £140m Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal and needs to go ahead to ensure we are able to draw down that investment from the UK and Scottish Governments.
“I’m sure there will be plenty of different opinions, and this exercise will give us the opportunity to gather those and help inform future decisions as we move towards submitting the planning application.
“With the engagement programme now underway, I’d encourage everyone to take part in shaping what this space could become.
Supporting growth, culture and community
The new Falkirk Town Hall project represents a £69.84m investment in the area and is set to play a central role in the regeneration of Falkirk town centre.
It will include a regional theatre, library, studio spaces, café and bar, creative areas and a small council office. Once open, it’s expected to attract up to 300,000 visitors a year, boosting footfall and supporting local businesses.
An economic impact assessment forecasts that the venue - to be built on the site of the former Callendar Square Shopping Centre and Antonine Hotel - could generate around £84.5m in growth over the next 25 years.
The new town hall is also the flagship project in the £140m Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal that is backed by the UK and Scottish Governments, Falkirk Council and partners.