The new contractor is now inviting local companies interested in sub-contracting work for the project to meet on Tuesday 14 October. 

Elgin Town Hall is a key site within the Cultural Quarter project, part of Moray’s £100 million Growth Deal. The total estimated capital costs for the Cultural Quarter are £28.2m, which includes funding for both Elgin Town Hall and Grant Lodge. Of this, £22.2m has been committed through the Moray Growth Deal. The redevelopment of Elgin Town Hall is Phase One and is fully funded within this allocation, with funding applications pending for later phases covering Grant Lodge. 

The appointment marks a major milestone in the transformation of the iconic town centre building, which will be modernised to create a vibrant multi-use facility supporting arts, culture, and community activity for generations to come. The redeveloped venue will include upgraded performance spaces, improved accessibility, and facilities designed to support both local community use and large-scale cultural events. 

Alongside Taylor and Fraser as the main contractor, the project team also includes Thomson Gray, which is acting as quantity surveyor and project manager, and LDN Architects, the appointed architect team. Together, this team brings the expertise needed to balance the protection of Elgin Town Hall’s heritage with the creation of a sustainable, high-quality venue that meets the needs of the community for generations to come. 

Preparatory work on the redevelopment started earlier this year with construction expected to begin in October 2025 and scheduled for completion in 2027. 

Ahead of the main works, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) carried out excavation works over the summer to prepare key below-ground infrastructure for the development. This essential enabling work ensures the project is ready to move forward without delay.  

Moray Council’s leader, Councillor Kathleen Robertson, said: “This is a significant step forward for the Elgin Town Hall project. With Taylor and Fraser now on board, we can look ahead to seeing work begin on site and the vision for a modern, flexible and welcoming facility take shape. The redevelopment will not only protect the heritage of this important building but also provide a cultural and economic boost to the whole region.”  

Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Councillor Marc Macrae, added: “The redevelopment of Elgin Town Hall is a proud moment for our town and our region. This project will provide a fantastic cultural hub for the community, support local jobs, and attract visitors for years to come. We’re committed to delivering high-quality projects that make a real difference to the lives of people in Moray, and this is a shining example.”  

Commenting on the project, Angus MacInnes, construction director at Taylor and Fraser, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Moray Council to undertake the redevelopment of Elgin Town Hall. It is a significant element of the Cultural Quarter project, with the building set to play a pivotal role within the community in the future. 

“Our tagline, ‘Respecting the past.’ Building for the future.’ is particularly relevant to this project; we look forward to working with Moray Council and the wider project team in creating a modern and highly functional space for the people of Elgin, while maintaining the heritage and integrity of the building.” 

Elgin Town Hall for the Community (ETHC), who operate the venue, have established a temporary base during the redevelopment. They have created the ‘Wee Community Theatre’ at the Elgin Community Centre, where an events programme is already underway and more are in the pipeline.  

Chair, Jackie Andrews, said: “It is a great feeling to finally get the show on the road to deliver an enhanced venue that will not only complement our fantastic local talent but also encourage national artists to bring their productions to our area. The enhanced spaces will allow us to attract a wide variety of performances including, we hope, National Theatre of Scotland, Ballet, and Opera as well as our usual amazing acts who entertain Moray so well. We look forward to working closely with Moray Council, Taylor and Fraser and the wider delivery team.” 

Local companies are invited to meet the contractor, Taylor and Fraser, on Tuesday 14 October from 5pm until 7pm at the Mansfield Hotel in Elgin. Working with Moray Pathways local employability partnership, they will outline what is involved in sub-contract delivery, timescales, community benefits and explain how organisations can express their interest. 

Potential subcontractor packages include brickwork, builders work, insulation, plumbing, electrical, joinery/shopfitting, cladding and curtain walling, scaffolding, doors, blinds, roofing, BMS, fire, security, data, audio-visual, altro whiterock and others. This is a valuable opportunity for local companies to engage with a major regeneration project for Moray and explore ways to get involved.