Councillors have agreed to fund £3.9 million towards the creation of an Elgin cultural quarter as part of the Moray Growth Deal.
It is hoped that the project to create a cultural space at the heart of Elgin will support economic growth and cultural expansion across the region as part of the £100m package backed by the Scottish and UK Governments.
Moray growth deal: Package accelerated to help region bounce back from Covid-19
Last week, Moray Council released Elgin cultural quarter designs showing how the plans could look.
This includes the revamp of Elgin Town Hall to house a multi purpose theatre and refurbishing of the derelict Grant Lodge into a heritage attraction.
Funded separately through £9m private investment, a 60-100 bedroomed premium hotel will be planned to plug a long acknowledged market gap in the region’s tourism industry.
Now they aim to start work in 2024 or earlier if possible.
Moray Council leader, Graham Leadbitter said: “The Cultural Quarter proposals aims to rejuvenate key buildings and venues that are an integral part of Moray’s cultural sector, alongside plans for a hotel and a much improved use of a very prominent public space.”
Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson added the announcement will help “realise” their vision.
While UK Government Minister Iain Stewart said: “The £100m Moray Growth Deal will be essential to the region’s economic recovery from coronavirus and I am sure we will see further progress in the coming months.”