Millport Town Hall handed back to community after major restoration

After nearly a decade of vision, planning, and tireless community-driven effort, and following conclusion of a technically challenging construction phase, the refurbished Millport Town Hall is set to reopen its doors today. The grand opening ceremony marks the culmination of a community-led regeneration and conservation project that began when the building was forced to close due to disrepair.

The building now features:

• A much enhanced, spacious and accessible reception and foyer/orientation space and toilets.
• A welcoming Sitting Room and Snug for informal gatherings, arts and crafts, and community use.
• A restored, Victorian, domed main hall with enhanced acoustics, stage lighting, and accessibility features, bringing a much needed and historically well-used civic space back into operation for the community, providing a concert/performance venue that can also cater for events such as weddings and conferences.
• A Men’s Shed, community garden, and flexible spaces for clubs, workshops, and events.
• A fully equipped community kitchen with dual hatches for catering and events.
• A basement Heritage Centre showcasing local history and a striking stained-glass window by artist Gill Miller.
• Three holiday flats with panoramic views, designed for sustainable tourism and income generation to support the charity.

The major renovation project was made possible through the efforts of the Millport Town Hall Charity, supported by over 74 funders, including the Scottish Government, North Ayrshire Council, and numerous generous donors from across the UK and abroad, contributing to the final construction budget of £4.8 million.

“This is more than a restoration—it’s a legacy,” said Angie McCallum, chair of the trustees at Millport Town Hall. “The hall now stands as a beacon of community spirit, sustainability, and cultural heritage. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed—financially, creatively, and with their time.”

Having fallen into a state of disrepair, the previously well-used, well-loved, historic building, situated in the middle of the town of Millport, was forced to close in 2016. The building was listed on the Buildings at Risk Register (BARR) for Scotland in 2014, with a subsequent report in 2019 raising its risk level to moderate. Later that year, the building was acquired by the charitable trust through community asset transfer.

The restoration project was brought to fruition through the efforts of the local community, an engaged design team led by O’DonnellBrown Architects, and a skilled main contractor in McLaughlin Construction.

Drawing on decades of experience, with a suitably experienced site management team in place, supported by a trusted network of local sub-contractors and supply chain, the Irvine-based contractor has delivered the conservation, comprehensive renovation, extension and reconfiguration of the late 19th century building, enabling the return of the building to community use and providing a spectacular, multi-purpose venue and crucial community asset at the heart of the island community on Great Cumbrae.

Works to transform the previously run-down, three-storey (plus basement) civic building included:

• Extensive stonework conservation/repair works to the original ashlar elevations.
• Roof conservation/repair works, including installation of strengthening members to the trusses in main hall, warm roof coverings, new roof openings and rooflights, leadwork and complete re-slating.
• Structural alterations and extension to allow extensive reworking of the plan to facilitate a new accessible entrance and arrival sequence and addition of newly developed spaces within the basement area.
• Downtakings including removal of some internal walls, doors, windows, ceilings, floors, and obsolete services.
• Significant excavations into bedrock to form habitable basement space of adequate height, installation of underground drainage and concrete foundations.
• Considerable waterproofing works including installation of membranes, tanking, insulation and a proprietary pumped water management system to make the basement habitable for reception facilities, heritage centre and men’s shed spaces amongst others.
• Installation of structural steelwork and timber framing including glulam beams, timber and glulam joists, acoustic battens, floor decking, and insulation throughout.
• New staircases in timber, metal and pre-cast concrete with associate balustrades, alongside installation of platform lifts and chairlifts.
• Works to flooring throughout, including terrazzo conservation, timber flooring, vinyl, carpet, and tiled finishes.
• Refurbishment and replacement of existing windows and doors, alongside installation of new, fire-rated screens/doors and acoustic doors.
• Full rewiring and re-plumbing including installation of new lighting, emergency systems, data, fire alarms, security, BMS, sanitary appliances and associated accessories, and above ground drainage.
• Installation of a renewed heating systems including air-source heat pumps, alongside new sprinkler systems.
• Decoration works including application of intumescent coatings and specialist stonework finishes.
• Installation of fittings & furnishings including reception desk, community hub joinery and kitchens – both in community space and within flats.
• Development and extension of upper floor spaces to create three new lettable flats, providing the charity with a vital income stream.

The contract was delivered under McLaughlin Construction’s fully audited and accredited integrated management system. Community benefit objectives & targets were delivered through employment and training opportunities (for long-term unemployed) and local community engagement.