New town hall a step closer after £200k boost

The £3m project to create a flexible, community-run purpose-built space is set to receive the cash from North Ayrshire Council’s Community Investment Fund.

The project, masterminded by the Friends of Millport Town Hall campaign group, aims to regenerate the landmark building for use as a sizeable indoor venue for the community, run by the community.

The space will be capable of accommodating a variety of activities such as exhibitions, ticketed events and community lets, as well as acting as a community centre, heritage centre and arts and culture centre.

A number of funding options for the project have already been applied for or identified, including £500k from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, with the Community Investment cash to be released on the condition that the full funding package is achieved.

Angie McCallum, Chair of Trustees for Friends of Millport Town Hall, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this money from the NAC Community Investment Fund.

“It is extremely valuable to us to have this show of confidence and support for the project, and of course the financial award will help our match funding potential with other major funders.

“The Millport Town Hall project will have wide ranging social and economic benefits for the whole Isle of Cumbrae, and the community are working hard to ensure this transformational regeneration becomes a reality.”

The funding boost comes after well known Scots actor Bill Paterson threw his weight behind the campaign.

Councillor Louise McPhater, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “I am delighted that this incredibly worthwhile project has been successful in their bid for Community Investment Funding.

“Millport Town Hall is currently in a poor state of repair, and to see this historic building restored and regenerated by this ambitious project will be a huge boost to the community, who are currently without a large multi-purpose venue."