Campbeltown town hall closed

[Kintyre Forum News]

Argyll and Bute Council has temporarily closed Campbeltown Town Hall, on health and safety grounds.

Gaps in the slates have allowed birds to enter the roof space. The council is now assessing how the contamination they have caused can be cleared.

The roof has already been identified as an area which needs repair.

The council is continuing work to establish a business case for the future of the building. This is expected to take between nine and 12 months. Some funding has already been allocated to help pay for long term improvements to the building, although more is needed.

The council would like to reassure residents that the town hall building remains a priority building for the Campbeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Councillor John Semple, Townscape Heritage Initative, South Kintyre said:

“The CHORD project has funds to bring the town hall back to life provided we can find a sustainable use for the building. We need the community to lend their support but in the current climate it’s hard to justify spending on a building which has no clear business plan for its future use.

“However council officers and local members will be talking whatever measures are available in order to make the building safe for public use”.

[Beachcomber]

Sounds to me like Lochgilphead is building a case for selling-off the property.

[John S]

A meeting on thursday chaired by myself with officers and local councillors thrashed out a plan to open the chambers again before the Christmas Lights switch on. Further plans to replace the roof will be progressed when there is a sustainable business plan for the hall.

[Bitter End]

[WC1]

when there is a sustainable business plan for the hall.

What exactly would that look like?

[gizmo]

I'd love to see a sustainable business plan for the Town Hall. I dont think I have been in that building more than a dozen tmes in my 50 years.

[elainemck]

The Aqualibrium, although it is a great facility, unfortunately doesn't have a studio to hold fitness classes. (It really should have been built into the design as there is so much wasted space in there?!)

The Town Hall although not ideal, was a good place to hold classes, much better than having exercise classes in the bistro of Aqualibrium. I hope it can reopen.

[Mo*]

when there is a sustainable business plan for the hall.

What exactly would that look like?

One printed on recycled paper.
Where is the 'sustainable business plan' for every other public building?
This is a daft hurdle being put up in front of the local community. Thank goodness the burgh councillors in days gone by didn't put off building this important town hall until they had a business plan.
Sounds to me like Cllr semple and others on the Council are getting their arguments ready early and trying to find arguments to close it or sell it.
What is so bad about the Town Hall that he is prejudiced against it?

[John S]

I am actually doing everything I can to keep it open....but without a use it will close and that's a fact. Every avenue is being explored.