HOLMES Miller has announced it will lead the £22 million redesign of Paisley Town Hall. The architects will transform the inside of the 19th-century building into a modern facility and help safeguard the historic venue’s future.
The town hall will close next year and reopen in 2021 as one of the key projects in Renfrewshire Council’s £100 million investment in venues and infrastructure over the next few years.
Holmes Miller said it will produce initial designs for the interior aimed at broadening the range of events the town hall can host, as well as transforming the performance facilities and visitor experience. The revamp is being run by the council in partnership with hub West Scotland.
Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of Renfrewshire Leisure, which operates the town hall said, “Paisley Town Hall has been a much-loved landmark at the heart of life in the town for almost 140 years – we want it to stay that way for the next 140. But like any heritage building, it needs investment to stay at its best – and with some work having been done on the outside of the building in 2012, the interior now needs a revamp.
“The appointment of Holmes Miller is a major boost – they bring huge expertise of working with listed buildings, entertainment venues and community facilities around the UK, and will help us equip the town hall for the future and keep it as a venue of which Renfrewshire can be proud. Over the coming months we will consult further with town hall users and the wider community so they can help us shape the future of their town hall.”
Holmes Miller previously designed the new Johnstone Town Hall and also worked on the £60 million redevelopment of Marischal College in Aberdeen. The firm’s Douglas Jack said, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to develop our successful working relationship with Renfrewshire Council and hub West with the regeneration of Paisley Town Hall, a landmark building in Paisley and a fantastic example of Victorian architecture. We very much look forward to working with the stakeholders and project team on this exciting project which will play a key part in the wider regeneration strategy of Paisley.”
Iain Marley, hub West Scotland CEO added, “The redevelopment of Paisley Town Hall will transform this well known and important heritage asset and create a vibrant new destination for the community.”
