Steeple Buildings_Update ES reviewed - AM reviewed
Renfrewshire Council · 17 March 2026
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 17 March 2026 and its agenda
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 17 March 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ____________________________________________________________ Heading: Steeple Buildings Kilbarchan - Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide members with an update on the proposed refurbishment and potential reuse of the Steeple Buildings in Kilbarchan. It offers an update on recently completed essential repairs and progress on a further phase of repairs to allow the building to be brought back into use. _________________________________________________________________ 2 Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: (i) Notes the contents of this update report (ii) Authorises the Head of Economy and Development to progress with the procurement of the Phase 2 repairs programme if sufficient funding can be secured. _________________________________________________________ 3 Background 3.1 The 18th-century Steeple Buildings, located in Kilbarchan's Conservation Area and jointly owned by Renfrewshire Council and the Kilbarchan General Society (KGS), hold cultural significance as a Category A listed property and forms the centre of the village's annual Lilias Day celebrations. OneRen currently leases the building as a community hall, though it has remained closed since the Covid pandemic. While the building saw limited community use pre-pandemic, other
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PUBLIC venues are available in Kilbarchan. Prior to 2025, repairs have been conducted by Renfrewshire Council as needed. The last major refurbishment took place in the 1950s. ___________________________________________________________________ 4 Current position 4.1 Reports to the Economy and Regeneration Board in January 2024 and November 2024 provided updates on Council motion (4 May 2023) and the allocation of £705,000 to support refurbishment. These reports highlight extensive stakeholder engagement, particularly with Kilbarchan Community Council (KCC). This led to the formation of the Friends of the Steeple sub- group, to support decision-making regarding the Steeple Buildings. 4.2 Updates on the findings of a detailed Options Appraisal were also provided, highlighting the preferred future use of the Steeple Buildings, including using the ground floor hall as licensed café/restaurant and maintaining the first floor as community hall for hire. 4.3 After reviewing the Options Appraisal, the sub-group confirmed its voluntary role in sustaining the Steeple Buildings and continues to operate as part of KCC. 4.4 Since 2024, officers have received several informal enquiries from third parties about potentially leasing the ground floor hall and kitchen, for use as a café/restaurant, once refurbishment works are complete. ___________________________________________________________________ 5 Repairs Programme 5.1 Based on costings from conservation specialists John Gilbert Architects’ 2023 condition survey, in January 2024 the Economy and Regeneration Board approved the implementation of a first phase of major repairs, valued at £310,000+VAT, prioritising “immediate” and “urgent” work on the roof, leadwork, and rainwater systems. 5.2 Conservation specialists MAST Architects were subsequently appointed in September 2024 to develop the programme for this first phase of major repairs. 5.3 Following more intrusive surveys in autumn 2024, MAST categorised additional internal works, to address dampness on the ground floor and improve the safety of services, as “immediate” and “urgent”. 5.4 In light of MAST’s reassessment of the internal condition of the building and after discussion with stakeholders, it was agreed that a meantime use for the building, following completion of Phase 1 repairs, was not a viable option. 5.5 Following a competitive tender process, Contract Authorisation for Steeple Buildings Phase 1 Repairs (RC-CPU-23-316) was granted at the June 2025 Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board, with W H Kirkwood subsequently appointed to deliver Phase 1 repairs at a cost of £332,913.87 excluding VAT.
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PUBLIC 5.6 Phase 1 repairs were complete in February 2026 at a cost of c.£359,970 excluding VAT. Additional spend was required to complete necessary electrical works and rebuild (as opposed to simply repoint) two stone chimneys. With the additional chimney works needing scaffolding to remain in position longer and with pointing to the steeple structure found to be in worse condition than anticipated, it was decided to instruct repointing of stonework to the entire steeple structure while the scaffolding remained on site, rather than just at the highest levels. 5.7 The procurement process has been initiated with CPU to appoint a conservation architect to develop the detailed programme for Phase 2 repairs. While Phase 1 focused on making the building wind and watertight i.e. on external repairs to replace materials that had reached the end of their life and internal repairs to address damp issues, Phase 2 will focus on the repair and reconfiguration of the interior (including accessibility improvements) to enable the building to come back into public use. It is anticipated that this will include the installation of new toilets, a refurbished kitchen space and a lift. 5.8 At the start of Phase 1 repairs, the clock mechanism was removed and placed in safe storage. Repairs to the clock mechanism and its strike controller have been instructed prior to reinstallation, as has the repair of the structure from which the bell hangs. Repair of the structure will mean the bell no longer needs to be tied back for safety. ___________________________________________________________________ 6 Funding 6.1 Total expenditure to date on the Steeple Buildings, including preparatory surveys, professional fees, legal searches, and Phase 1 works is £434,083. 6.2 Of the original £705,000 budget, £270,917 remains. 6.3 The current estimated cost of Phase 2 works (including clock and bell repairs) is £420,913, giving a total cost for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of £854,996 and an estimated budget shortfall for Phase 2 of £149,996. It should be noted that repointing of the stonework of the main steeple building is currently excluded from Phase 2 repairs as it has been designated neither “urgent” nor “immediate”. 6.4 Officers are exploring funding options to address the Phase 2 budget shortfall. The Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme and the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund may be options, depending on the application process. Enquiries have also been made to Historic Environment Scotland (HES), however with additional external works having taken place as part of Phase 1 and Phase 2 focused on the interior, there are relatively few costs in Phase 2’s programme which would be considered grant eligible by HES. ___________________________________________________________________
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PUBLIC 7 Next Steps 7.1 Officers are working with CPU on the tender process to appoint a conservation architect who will develop designs for Phase 2, support the tender process to appoint a main contractor (if funding can be secured) and oversee implementation of the works. 7.2 Officers will also investigate opportunities to secure funding and enable delivery of Phase 2 works. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - £705,000 has been allocated by Renfrewshire Council for the refurbishment of the Steeple Buildings. Additional funds will be required to deliver Phase 2 repairs which will enable the building to be brought back into use. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is thriving – The project supports development which will protect and enhance the built heritage of Renfrewshire’s village centres, contributing to the creation of thriving places which support individuals, communities, and businesses. • Reshaping our place, our economy and our future – The project will help support the restoration and productive re-use of a landmark building in the centre of a Renfrewshire village, improving the built environment, helping to create job opportunities and contribute to economic growth. • Working together to improve outcomes - The project is working in partnership with local groups and organisations to achieve positive outcomes. 4. Legal – The Steeple Buildings are jointly owned with local charity, Kilbarchan General Society (who own a single room on the first floor). 5. Property/Assets - Property Services were Client Advisor for the Phase 1 repair programme 6. Information Technology - None 7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because for example it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the
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PUBLIC recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. (Report author to arrange this). 8. Health & Safety – MAST Architects were Principal Designer for the Phase 1 repair programme. 9. Procurement – The appointment of a conservation architect and a main contractor for the Phase 2 repair programme will be managed by CPU. 10. Risk – Phase 1 repairs have stabilised the fabric of the building and Phase 2 repairs will bring the building back into a use which is sustainable. 11. Privacy Impact - None 12. Climate Risk – With cognisance of Historic Environment Scotland’s ‘A Guide to Climate Change Impacts: On Scotland’s Historic Environment, Our Place in Time, 2019’, the repair and maintenance of the Steeple Buildings will contribute to the restoration and repair of Renfrewshire’s historic fabric and will improve the performance of this property over time. 13. Children’s Rights - None 14. Cosla Policy Position – None ________________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) Steeple Buildings Kilbarchan – Update - Economy and Regeneration Policy Board, 23 January 2024 (b) Steeple Buildings Kilbarchan – Update - Economy and Regeneration Policy Board, 5 November 2024 (c) Contract Authorisation Report for Steeple Buildings Kilbarchan Phase 1 Repairs (RC-CPU-23-316) - Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board – 12 June 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Euan Shearer; Regeneration and Place Manager Email: euan.shearer@renfrewshire.gov.uk