Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has congratulated Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) for their success in gaining funding to allow them to take over ownership of the historic Forres Town Hall from Moray Council by way of a community asset transfer. FACT has been awarded £116,365 by the Scottish Land Fund to secure the building.
Mr Halcro Johnston submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament in which he recorded that ownership of the Town Hall will be transferred so that the hall can be improved as part of FACT’s goal to make Forres a better place to live, work and visit.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “The Town Hall, or Mechanics Institute as it is sometimes called, is one of the most distinctive buildings on what must be one of Scotland’s finest high streets.
“I’m delighted that its future has been secured for the community and that it will continue to play an important part in the life of the town.
“This is just the latest chapter in a proud story for the Town Hall which has included being used as a masonic hall and as a wartime hospital.
“My congratulations go to everyone involved in the bid, and I would like to wish them, and the hall, a very bright and busy future in the years ahead.”
