URGENT - Lenzie Public Hall is at risk of being removed from EDC's Capital Investment Plan with hope lost for renovation and reopening. Read on to find out more and help avoid this.

Ever struggled to find a venue locally for a birthday party or reunion?

Ever wondered why you have to drive or take a bus to reach local community groups?

Ever pondered why a large publicly-owned building, capable of offering a wide range of facilities, lies unused while a community is desperate for social spaces? 

Lenzie Public Hall is a beautiful historic building gifted to the community 133 years ago by the fundraising efforts of local residents. 

In September 2019 East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) terminated the lease of the existing tenant, temporarily closing the Hall until a new tenant could be found. 

Given the state of repair, finding a new tenant was a challenge. However, in February 2020 the community received great news - East Dunbartonshire Council approved a £500,000 budget to support the Hall’s refurbishment. 

Lenzie Public Hall refurbishment was added to EDC’s 10 year Capital Investment Plan.   

More good news came in June 2020. LEAP were selected by EDC as the preferred tenant. LEAP are an established Scottish charity, with costed, sustainable plans to deliver community services from the Hall . They have the skills and track record to deliver. 

After the Pandemic, EDC revised the 10 year Capital Investment Plan. The Council listed the project as “shortly recommencing”, with the £500,000 spend down for the financial year 2022/3. The budget was increased to £3.25 million for the financial year 2023/4 ...

Why the fuss now?

5 years have gone by. The building is falling into disrepair with estimated renovation costs continuing to spiral.

Paperwork has been submitted for an East Dunbartonshire Council meeting on Thursday 6 March 2025 proposing that:

• costs of £6 million are now needed to renovate it
• all work on the project should cease immediately
• EDC withdraw from its agreement to lease the hall to LEAP
• the Hall be declared “surplus to operational requirements”
• offers be sought for its sale, transfer or lease. 

The risk is very real that Lenzie Public Hall will be removed from the Capital Investment Plan and the hope for renovation and reopening lost.

We are calling on East Dunbartonshire Council to:

1. keep the Hall in its 10-year Investment Plan
2. relook at the costs needed to renovate it  - can cost savings be made elsewhere to accommodate its refurbishment?
3. make good on the commitment to renovate the building so that LEAP can start bringing services to the community and a joyful, growing, focal point back to Lenzie.

Stop wondering and pondering now. 

EDC are meeting Thursday 6th March to agree the proposals. Time is short.

Sign the petition NOW to show EDC that you value Lenzie Public Hall and support this call.

PS And tell us in the comments why you are signing. What are your memories of the Hall? What's missing from your community that the Hall could offer?