IT is a case of 'let there be light' at the new Millport Town Hall development after lights were fitted to the main hall area this month.

Electricians have been busy throughout the building, and a sneak preview has been provided of the main hall with the new lighting fitted.

The Millport Town Hall project aims to bring the building back to life through a strategic redevelopment of the structure, providing a revitalised community hub for Millport following a massive fundraising project on the island. 

A spokesperson said: "The renovation has been a much longer journey than we had anticipated but it is worth reminding ourselves of how far we have come since it all started."

Volunteers shared a picture of the main hall before work got underway.

Before: Millport Town Hall as construction got underwayBEFORE: Millport Town Hall as construction got underway (Image: Millport Town Hall) AFTER: The new light installations at the main hall AFTER: The new light installations at the main hall (Image: Millport Town Hall) Dating from 1878, this is a key building for the community and has played an important part in the history of the island and its residents over the past 140 years.

Moves have been afoot by the community over the past five years to preserve this building and bring it back into sustainable use for many years to come.

When finished, the historic building in Clifton Street will include a heritage centre, kitchen, men’s shed, community garden, main hall and flats for letting to generate income.

The following funding bodies who are supporting the capital works programme: Scot Gov Regeneration fund, North Ayrshire Council and their associated funding strands, the CARS scheme, Hugh Fraser Trust, the Land Trust, the Islands Green Recovery Programme, Sir Boyd Tunnock and Magnox/NDA socio-economic fund.

Let there be light: Millport Town Hall will be well lit thanks to new installationLet there be light: Millport Town Hall will be well lit thanks to new installation (Image: Millport Town Hall)

Artists design of how the town hall will look upon completionArtists design of how the town hall will look upon completion (Image: Millport Town Hall)

Millport Town Hall are also grateful to have received funding from the following bodies: The Community Enterprise, The Community Ownership Support Service, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Kelburn Wind Farm Trust, The Adapt and Thrive Programme (Scottish Gov), The National Lottery Community Fund, The Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (Kelburn Wind Farm Trust), Arnold Clark Community Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, The William Syson Foundation, Kelburn Windfarm Trust, The Land Trust, The Scottish Government, Golden Oldies Charity,

For latest details on the Millport Town Hall development, go to their website at http://millporttownhall.co.uk.