The volunteers who run Moray’s biggest performance venue say a sell-out comedy show highlights the new lease of life it has enjoyed under their control.
Elgin Town Hall has been run by the community since last summer, when Moray Council transferred ownership of several amenities to locals in a cost-cutting drive.
The Elgin Town Hall for the Community group recently signed up British comedy stalwart Jack Dee to perform in July, and a first batch tickets were all snapped up within five hours of being released.
Mr Dee is the latest in a series of popular acts who have been attracted to the venue, with “teuchter farmer” Jim Smith performing to two capacity crowds over the weekend.
Volunteers believe that the strength of their bookings, and accompanying ticket sales, show that the venue has come on leaps and bounds since being threatened with closure last year.
Donald Squair, who is in charge of bookings and operations, said: ” If you don’t ask you don’t get for some of these bigger acts, it all depends on who you ask at the right time.
“It’s all to do with word of mouth as well, as some of the musical acts come here and enjoy themselves and then spread a word, a bit like with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers coming here after Skippinish played.
“We have to be more forward and proactive when looking for acts as we need to make a profit to keep it going, as the council was operating the venue at a loss previously.”
The performance venue has undergone some changes since the Elgin Town Hall for the Community group was handed the keys in August.
A cocktail bar has been installed in the upstairs area, and more improvements are in the pipeline including upgrading the courtyard.
Mr Squair hinted at other projects which will be taking place later on this year and urged locals to “watch this space”.
He said: “We are looking to try and attract some more big names, getting Jack Dee is almost like making a rod for our own back as people will be expecting more names like him.”
