Top architects will transform town hall
Award-winning firm will create £22m makeover
The £ 22 million plan to transform Paisley Town Hall into one of the key venues in the West of Scotland will be led by award-winning architects.
Glasgow- based Holmes Miller have a pedigree for taking on big jobs after redeveloping Old Trafford and reshaping Hampden for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The architects also worked on Johnstone Town Hall – which has won a string of industry awards since it opened three years ago – the new Park Mains High School, Renfrew Health Centre, as well as housing at Hawkhead village in Paisley.
Now their task is to turn the inside of the 19th-century building into a 21stcentury facility and preserve the future of the town centre landmark.
The architects will now produce initial designs for the interior which will broaden the range of events the town hall can offer, and transform the performance facilities and visitor experience.
The project will also include improved catering and conference facilities, better physical access and replacing the mechanical and electric systems.
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.”
The town hall will close in early 2019 and reopen in 2021. Renfrewshire Leisure has been working with regular town hall users to find temporary homes for their events while it is closed.
Renfrewshire Council is running the revamp in partnership with Hub West Scotland – a Scottish Governmentbacked firm which helps public-sector bodies get value for money when investing in large infrastructure projects.
Douglas Jack of Holmes Miller 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 Hub West Scotland team are delighted and excited to partner with Renfrewshire Council on another key community investment project.
“The redevelopment of Paisley Town Hall will transform this well known and important heritage asset and create a vibrant new destination for the community.”
The town hall plan is one of the key projects within Renfrewshire Council’s £100million investment in venues and infrastructure over the next few years.
It includes a £42million transformation of Paisley Museum into an international-class destination; a new learning and cultural hub on the High Street; a revamp of Paisley Arts Centre; major investment in town centre outdoor spaces and transport links; and new sporting facilities and events space at St James Playing Fields.
The plans build on the investment already made in the publicly-accessible museum store Paisley: The Secret Collection, which opened last year on the town’s High Street, and the launch of the new destination brand and website www.paisley.is