THE fit-out and install programme for Paisley Museum will be complete by the end of the year, Renfrewshire Council has said.
HUB Build is leading the £6.8 million fit-out, with Kier Construction leading the wider £68.7 million redevelopment.
More than 1,800 local Renfrewshire residents have helped co-design the new museum.
Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Renfrewshire Council’s culture spokesperson and chair of OneRen, said, “I’m delighted that the fit-out and install programme for Paisley Museum will be complete by the end of this year as I know how excited people are to see the transformation inside for themselves and it will be a fantastic start for the new year.
“With more than 1,800 local people having contributed to the redesign of the museum and the stories it will tell, it will be a welcoming place for all our communities to call their own. It will also act as an anchor institution for Paisley – attracting visitors to the wider area, supporting local businesses and the economy, and strengthening the town’s national and international profile.”
Renfrewshire Council said the reimagined museum will present a ‘radical new view’ of Paisley, Scotland, and the world – ensuring local stories are preserved and shared for future generations and told in inclusive and engaging ways as part of a museum campus that includes the historic Coats Observatory, Transit House, and Oakshaw buildings.
The redevelopment by Renfrewshire Council in collaboration with OneRen is tipped to attract more than 127,000 visitors to the town each year.
In an update to Renfrewshire Council’s leadership board, councillors were advised the fit-out programme has progressed into all areas of the museum and the majority of objects chosen for display now packed in preparation for the main install programme, with more than double the amount to be on display than previously.
Harry Coughlin, MD museums UK – HUB Build, commented, “We’re delighted to be playing a key role in the transformation of Paisley Museum and to see the galleries really beginning to come to life. A particular focus for our team has been developing the flexible story display systems, working hard to ensure they are practical while remaining true to OPERA Amsterdam’s beautiful design. This adaptability will allow the museum to reconfigure displays in the future, helping to keep the visitor experience fresh and engaging over time.
“It has been a hugely detailed project, involving the manufacture and installation of a wide range of bespoke exhibition elements to display the vast array of objects, as well as hands on interactives. Our team is continuing to work closely with Renfrewshire Council and the wider project team as we progress the remaining works, and we’re looking forward to seeing the completed museum open its doors to visitors.”
International architects AL_A, led by Stirling Prize winner Amanda Levete and Matt Wilkinson, created an ‘ambitious, striking design’ that has been brought to life by Kier.
A red-glass accessible entrance and panoramic extension fronts the transformation with the A-listed main building and Coats Observatory brought up to modern standards, undergoing significant external and internal repairs.
A new outdoor garden and public space has also been created, while learning spaces, a heritage centre, new café and shop will enhance the visitor experience further.
The project has been funded by Renfrewshire Council, with additional funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, and the Scottish Government, as well as private fundraising.
