A Community Asset Transfer for the building was approved on Wednesday, as councillors praised the efforts of Forres Area Community Trust (FACT), the group which has been running the closure-threatened building on a transitional basis from July 2018.

A recent public consultation showed strong support for FACT to take over the building, which is expected to sell for £75,000 – 50% of the market value. The final step in the asset transfer process is court consent, as it’s a common good asset.

Chair of Moray Council’s policy & resources committee, Cllr Aaron McLean, is pleased the transfer is a step closer to completion.

He said: “As a Forres councillor, I know how hard FACT members and volunteers have been working since July last year, on behalf of Forres residents, to secure the future of the Town Hall. I hope that the rest of the process runs smoothly and that FACT can soon call themselves proud owners of Forres Town Hall.

“We have already seen a great improvement in the look and use of the building since they took over the tenancy, and I’m sure we will see this continue once they have access to further funding. I’m certain they will provide a much improved for the benefit of residents for many more years to come.”