Moffat town hall scheme secures support

A £1m plan to redevelop a Dumfries and Galloway town hall has secured national backing.

The Moffat plan is one of eight demonstration projects for a new Scottish government funded initiative.

The scheme will provide financial support and expertise to help transfer the council building into community ownership.

Peter Beck-Samuels, chairman of the Moffat Town Hall Redevelopment Trust, said it was delighted with the backing.

Dumfries and Galloway Council agreed to transfer the hall to the trust for £1 last year.

Now the MTHRT will get expert advice on how to take forward the redevelopment of the site.

Mr Beck-Samuels said: "The trust is absolutely delighted to be working with Dumfries and Galloway Council on this exciting project.

"To be selected as only one of eight successful applicants nationally, emphasises how innovative and exciting our proposals are to own and develop the town hall on behalf of the community, whilst still preserving the council and library services."

He described this latest support as helping with a "key piece of the jigsaw" in achieving their vision.