Survey reveals support to save main Chivas building

ALMOST 1000 Buddies have publicly called for the main Chivas building in Paisley to be saved after Renfrewshire Council revealed it is considering knocking it down.

A survey was launched by the Paisley Community Trust (PCT) asking residents if they wanted to see the famed building go after council chiefs placed it on a list for demolition alongside 16 other structures on the site.

The council bought the majority of the Renfrew Road site from whisky giant Pernod Ricard at the end of last year and has now earmarked it as a spot for a new Paisley Grammar School.

Out of 1059 respondents to the survey, 979 people (92%) insisted it should stay put, with many suggesting it should be incorporated into the new school campus.

Annette Armstrong, marketing manager for PCT, launched the consultation to kick-off the charity’s new feature “Question of the

Week” which will seek to strike up discussions among the community on topics that are important to them.

She said many people in Paisley have strong connections to Chivas and treasure seeing the building as they enter the town.

She said: “We had an amazing level of community engagement with the launch of our Paisley Community Trust Question of the Week. I am absolutely delighted 1059 people responded to the survey.

“What’s clear from the comments on our social media is that the building is seen as a landmark as you enter Paisley and there is a huge community connection with the site having been home to Chivas.

“Many respondents either worked there themselves or had family members that worked there and people are keen to see the main building being repurposed and incorporated into the new Paisley Grammar.” Planning papers stated the council is seeking specialist advice from an architect on whether the famous front building – which housed the main office and reception and was built in the 1960s – should be retained as part of future development.

Other buildings that may be knocked down in the future include the south hall, pump house, distribution shed, transportation office and the central bottling hall, according to the list published.

The council has previously said any demolition at the site wouldn’t start until spring.