Moray’s largest entertainment venue will use what will be its busiest period of the year to prove its worth to the region.
Elgin Town Hall was saved from closure earlier this year after a specially-formed group raised enough money to lease it from Moray Council.
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The keys were handed over to Elgin Town Hall for the Community back in August and the group has been working hard to market it as a vibrant and sustainable venue ever since.
Early signs have been promising, but the group is now facing a vital two months as it looks to ensure the hall has a long-term future.
It is now looking forward to a busy festive period during which a number of local theatre companies take to the hall’s stage to put on their Christmas shows.
Stacey MacDonald, who is on the Board of Directors in charge of running the hall, is hoping the sheer number of events taking place during December will showcase how important it is to Moray.
She said: “There are a number of different productions running throughout December.
“The message we want to get across is that if we had not taken over the hall, it would have been shut and these smaller groups wouldn’t have anywhere to put on their Christmas shows.
“We will have pantomimes and the Lossie Entertainment Academy will be putting on an event. All of these appearing are local, community run or charitable organisations that would otherwise have had nowhere to perform.
“It’s the biggest venue in Moray and it is fortunate we are here running it but we are a work in progress.
“By the end of January we have to be a viable business to keep doors open.”
The Elgin Town Hall for the Community group are also looking for Moray locals to get more involved with the venue by becoming a member of the team and voicing their opinions on issues surrounding it.
Mrs MacDonald wants to keep the hall in the thoughts of Elgin’s 23,000 population by hosting regular events catering to all ages and tastes.
She said: “We want to keep the town hall in people’s consciousness as loads of people drive past it everyday and don’t give it a second thought.
“We should be saying that it is our town hall and we should be using it.”
For more information on becoming a member of Elgin Town Hall for the Community, visit www.elgintownhall.co.uk.