Campaigners fighting for the future of a Buckie landmark are now certain it will survive, following a packed public meeting last night.
Scores of residents rallied behind plans to spare the Fisherman’s Hall from being mothballed during a two-hour summit in the town.
The 131-year-old venue has been earmarked for closure as part of a Moray Council savings drive.
But the Buckie Community Theatre group, which regularly uses the building for shows, is determined to keep it open.
Director Glen Campbell arranged last night’s gathering to determine the level of interest the community has in taking it on and turning it into a money-spinner.
And, speaking afterwards, Mr Campbell said he was filled with renewed hope for the cherished institution.
He said: “I can truthfully say that, based on how positive the meeting was, the Fisherman’s Hall has a future in the community.
“There is so much heritage attached to it, and people feel so strongly about it, that I don’t believe we will allow it to close.”
Mr Campbell opened the meeting, at Buckie Community Theatre’s base on Logie’s Lane, by explaining the predicament the hall finds itself in.
Representatives from the Boys Brigade, a pensioner group, local schools and the town’s community council all attended and voiced their support.
Moray Council’s asset management co-ordinator, Andrew Gray, explained the process involved in transferring the building into the hands of the community.
Select locals will now form a committee aimed at driving the scheme forward, before registering their interest in running the building with the local authority.
The Fisherman’s Hall is the second largest entertainment venue in Moray, behind Elgin Town Hall.
Figures published by Moray Council have revealed the hall had an occupancy rate of only 17.5% during 2016.
The poor uptake meant that the building ran at a £7,000 loss that year, and nearly £80,000 of maintenance is expected to be needed in the coming five years.
But Mr Campbell reckons the hall could “thrive” under the stewardship of a dedicated crew of locals.
He added: “We have support, but we still need more and we would love for more businesses to get behind this.”
The Fisherman’s Hall opened on January 1, 1886, as a place for the town’s fishermen to discuss matters pertaining to the booming industry.
