A new town hall is currently set to open its doors in Falkirk in November 2027. The modern civic space will house a 500-seat auditorium, flexible accomodation for commercial and community use and key council services.
As an anchor project in the council's town centre masterplan, the new town hall will not only provide essential civic amenities and support regeneration and placemaking ambitions but also serve as a catalyst for inward investment that will benefit the whole area.
Background
A comprehensive review of council property found the town hall in West Bridge Street had reached the end of its useful life and a new town hall was needed.
Following an extensive search for a suitable location to build the replacement town hall, councillors agreed in May 2023 that Callendar Square Shopping Centre was the preferred site for the new building.
In early 2024, the purchase of the shopping centre and Antonine Hotel was concluded, making way for demolition work to begin in April 2024. It is expected the demolition work will take 12 months to complete.
Work on the design stage of the new town hall is on-going. Engagement with stakeholders and the community will take place as the plans develop.
Demolition timeline
July - September 2024
Following the demolition of the link bridge on site, our contractor is now progressing to the demolition of Callendar Square shopping centre.
Work will start on w/c 15 July on the Callendar Riggs side (starting on the south side of the entrance to the service yard) and will continue along this route towards High Street (area marked in blue on the plan).
The fencing on site will remain in the current position along Callendar Riggs but the pedestrian path (marked in green on the plan) will reopen once remedial works are complete.
The demolition works on this part are programmed to run through until September 2024.
Our contractor David Morton will continue to have their site compound located at the front of the Antonine Hotel and Contact details are on their signage.
The Council aims to minimise disruption as much as possible and the mechanical demolition will be carried out Monday to Friday between 8am and no later than 5pm.
Plans are available to view at the following locations:
- Falkirk BID Office, 104 High Street, Falkirk
- Falkirk Library, Hope Street, Falkirk and online
April 2024
Fencing erected around the site and CCTV installed. Internal work to remove asbestos and fully strip and clear the shopping centre and hotel undertaken.
May to July
The link bridge connecting the shopping centre with the multi-storey car park will be removed. During this time the car park will remain open and a footpath diversion put in place.
July to April 2025
The planted area at Kerse Lane/Manor Street will be removed. Demolition will start at the Kerse Lane/Manor Street end of the shopping centre, progressing along Callendar Riggs and onto the High Street then back to the Antonine Hotel.
To ensure public safety, footpath diversions will be put in place for the duration of the demolition project.
Further information
We're working closely with Falkirk BID to ensure local businesses and residents living near the shopping centre are kept up to date with information about the demolition work as it progresses.
Our officers will also be on hand to answer any questions people may have about the demolition work and the wider new town hall project at monthly drop-in sessions. These sessions will be held in Falkirk Delivers' High Street office.
Information on the project will also be displayed in Falkirk Library.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please come along to a drop-in session, visit the library or email replacementtownhallproject@falkirk.gov.uk.