Campaigners fighting to keep Moray’s largest performing venue open claim they are being kept in the dark about its future.
The council wants to handover Elgin Town Hall to a viable community group before the end of next month.
However, at the same time, the authority has included the building as part of the “cultural quarters” proposals, which is the flagship project including Cooper Park and Grant Lodge in the £200million growth deal bid that is being developed.
Packed meeting discusses rescue plan to prevent closure at Elgin Town Hall
Now the working group fighting to take over the venue wants to have a bigger say about planning the next phase of its future.
Mike Devenney, chairman of Elgin Town Hall for the Community, said: “We have not been part of the discussions that have taken place so far.
“If there are implications that we need to be aware of then I think we need to be involved in those discussions.
“Otherwise, we could be looking to make the hall more vibrant and have different things going on there but by then there may be different things intended for it which may or may not chime with our own thinking.
“The assurance we have been given is that the discussions are at a more strategic level at the moment without the detail.”
Mr Devenney added that council staff had assured the campaigners that they will be “at the table” once the proposals moved to later stages.
This week, the group updated Elgin Community Council about its vision for the venue – which included “building up” staff numbers, having a regular presence in the St Giles’ Shopping Centre for ticket sales and pro-actively approaching promoters to bring shows to the town.
The cultural quarter vision is part of Moray Council’s bid for growth deal funding. A decision about whether the projects are backed will be made by the UK and Scottish governments.
Council leader George Alexander has previously explained the proposals are not likely to be implemented until 2021 – while admitting it may appear “contradictory” to be promoting a transfer of the town hall while including it in the growth deal bid.
He said: “All deals progress on a phased basis with projects being finalised and implemented on an extended roll out. This is why the council is very cautious about raising public expectations and risking disappointment.”
