Elgin Town Hall Transformation (Moray Growth Deal)
Celebrating Culture, Heritage & Community in Moray
Welcome to the Cultural Quarter project. The project aims to increase tourism in Moray by providing a focal point to draw in additional visitors and signpost them to attractions right across the area, whilst providing an enhanced cultural and evening economy offering which will help attract and retain young people in the area.
Between 2025 and 2031, Moray Growth Deal funding will transform two of Elgin’s most significant category B-listed historic buildings.
- Phase 1 (2025–2027): Transformation of Elgin Town Hall
- Phase 2: Restoration of Grant Lodge
Redevelopment of these key sites within Elgin's new Cultural Quarter will raise the profile of Elgin and the region's wider offering.
What improvements are we making to Elgin Town Hall?
Plans include:
- New extension on Lossiemouth Road with a new foyer and dual access from the town and car park.
- Revamped main entrance – the current foyer becomes a stylish new venue bar.
- Second extension replaces the existing bar lounge with a new studio/black box performance space and rehearsal rooms.
- Main auditorium upgrade: to enhance acoustics and visual performance along with new side walls enabling the use of multiple spaces within the building simultaneously.
- Improved seating: retractable, raked seating and a new balcony layout.
- Bigger capacity: auditorium expands from 600 to 800 seats.
- Fresh exterior: external cladding will be renewed.
The works will begin in October 2025 with an estimated duration of 18 months.
Elgin Town Hall for the Community is a registered Charity and Social enterprise which operates Elgin Town Hall. They have moved to Elgin Community Centre during the redevelopment above and have both room spaces to hire as well as a full programme of events on offer including comedy nights, music acts, festivals and much more. For bookings please contact: enquiries@elgintownhall.co.uk 📞 01343 619900.
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Elgin Town Hall (Phase 1)
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The last few months have been focused on the appointment of a main contractor for the works at Elgin Town Hall, with enabling works progressing steadily alongside this.
In August 2025, SSEN started excavating cabling on the A96 side of Elgin Town Hall, preparing the site for the redevelopment and extension. Following the successful completion of these works, our major transformation will begin in 2025.
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Elgin Town Hall for the Community has moved!
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Elgin Town Hall for the Community has now temporarily relocated to the nearby Community Centre and continue to offer vital services to groups and audiences from across Moray. They’re now fully operational with a new bar, events space, and an exciting programme of upcoming events! 📞 For room bookings: enquiries@elgintownhall.co.uk | 01343 619900
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Public consultations and engagement
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To date, over 600 people have engaged with us about the Cultural Quarter project to help develop the project vision and design. This has included Tourism/Travel trade workshops and events and Raising awareness talks with local community groups. Public consultations about the transformation of Elgin Town Hall have included:
2023
- February - Elgin Men's Shed
- February - Development workshop at Elgin Town Hall
- February - Development workshop at Elgin Museum
- June - Delivery plan workshop at Elgin Library
- September - Doors Open Day 2023
2024
- February - Elgin Rotary Club
- June - Elgin Motorfun event
- August - Community engagement at Elgin Town Hall
- September - Doors Open Day 2024
- October - Design update for Sector Partners
- October - Chamber of Commerce
2025
- February - Tourist trade workshop
- June - Elgin Motorfun event
- June - Elgin Community Council
Further engagement will continue as the project progresses.
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Engaging with Young People
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The Cultural Quarter is always keen to engage with young people at every opportunity to obtain their views and opinions on the plans for the Grant Lodge redevelopment and how it will benefit them either through learning and education or work and apprenticeship opportunities.
Once such opportunity was at the Developing the Young Workforce Careers Fair in 2024 where we were able to attend 7 local high schools in Moray. Speaking to around 150 pupils of all ages across the schools we were able to inspire the next generation with information on future career opportunities in culture and heritage that they may have not previously considered.
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Collaborating with regeneration projects
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Together we are coordinating with other regeneration programmes such as the Levelling Up Fund and the Elgin Neighbourhood Board to transform the region’s economy, infrastructure, and communities.
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Phase 2 Working Group
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Did you know we have a dedicated working group for Phase 2 of the Cultural Quarter? This team brings expertise from across Moray’s Tourism, Creative Arts, Heritage, and Food & Drink sectors, offering strategic insights and advice to shape the project.
