Pitlochry Community Action Trust (PCAT) has been awarded £29,640 from the UK Government through the United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund to support the Pitlochry Town Hall Group (PTHG) explore a possible community asset transfer of the historic listed building. 

The initiative is one of several across the UK benefitting from funding for local investment as part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda, which aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

The award, which has been partly match-funded by support from The Enchanted Forest Community Fund and The Basil Death Trust, will fund the costs of the architectural services and buildings and other surveys that need to be undertaken in order for a feasibility study into a potential community asset transfer of Pitlochry Town Hall to take place. 

The move comes following confirmation from Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) earlier this year that it intends to relinquish proprietorship of the building. 

Dating back over 120 years, Pitlochry Town Hall has served as a crucial hub of community activity for local residents and visitors to the town for generations. It provides a wide range of community groups and organisations, as well as individuals, with a versatile indoor space, and is a key venue for events. Following PKC’s asset review, those behind PTHG are now investigating options for taking the building on for the benefit of the community.

PCAT is proactively supporting PTHG in these efforts and to advance proposals for its viable, long-term and sustainable development. Through PCAT, PTHG is able to access advice and work with PKC and a number of national organisations including the Scottish Land Fund and the Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) towards this objective.

Charlie McCarthy is chair of PCAT. Welcoming the funding announcement, he said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

“Pitlochry Town Hall is a vital part of the fabric of our community and has been for more than 100 years.

“As well as being a popular events venue it is also regularly used by a range of services and local groups and organisations. Many local people already volunteer to help maintain and run the venue and there would be even more opportunities to increase participation and possible employment should a community takeover of the facilities prove to be a viable and sustainable option.”

Susan Campbell from the Town Hall Group added: “We believe that Pitlochry Town Hall is a pillar of community life and an irreplaceable part of Pitlochry’s heritage that deserves to be preserved. 

“It not only provides a space for our cultural expressions but also fortifies our community’s identity, serving as a focal point for our history, culture and shared memories that should be protected for future generations.

“However, everyone involved is aware that the community asset transfer process and the running of a town hall as a successful venture will involve a significant amount of time, effort, commitment, expertise and volunteers from the community should it come to fruition. 

“We are therefore hugely grateful that the UK Government through the UK Prosperity Fund has supported this application for funding for further exploratory work to determine what exactly is required.”

For more information on PCAT, see www.pitlochryaction.org.uk

For more information on Pitlochry Town Hall, see www.pitlochrytownhall.org

For more information on UKSPF, see online here: UK Shared Prosperity Fund Website