Cultural Infrastructure Programme Update Oct 2024 Final PDF
Renfrewshire Council · 5 November 2024
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 5 November 2024 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy & Regeneration Policy Board On: 05 November 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Cultural Infrastructure Programme Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. This report is to update the Board on the progress of Renfrewshire Council’s Cultural Infrastructure Programme, being delivered on behalf of the Council by the City Deal & Infrastructure Team (with project management expertise from the Council’s Property Services team) with the Paisley Museum Project being delivered by OneRen. 1.2. The Cultural Infrastructure Programme investment in Paisley town centre will use our internationally significant cultural and heritage story to transform our future for visitors and events within Scotland. This programme of work will bring new footfall and life to the town centre, new homes for top class cultural events, whilst preserving the heritage of the town. 1.3. The Cultural Infrastructure Programme has seen continued success in 2024 with the completion of Paisley Arts Centre. The programme of work continues with the flagship Paisley Museum well underway. This report also outlines other works included in the wider spectrum of the programme including external sports and the successful TH.CARS2 regeneration scheme. ________________________________________________________________________
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2. Recommendations 2.1. The Economy & Regeneration Policy Board is asked to: i) Note the progress and current stage of construction of the projects outlined in this paper. ________________________________________________________________________ 3. Project Updates 3.1. Whilst each of the Cultural Infrastructure projects individually contribute to economic growth in Renfrewshire, it is important to note that the combined social and economic outcomes from across these investments are greater than the sum of the individual parts. Coupled with the Council’s wider economic investments in City Deal, AMIDS, housing, and other regeneration projects, these social and economic outcomes for our local residents and visitors are enhanced further. 4. Paisley Town Hall Redevelopment 4.1. Paisley Town Hall has been transformed into one of the top class entertainment venues in Scotland. The completion of the major refurbishment has brought this venue high onto the cultural map with the benefits already being realised. The building has now been operating since September 2023 with several events having taken place. 4.2. Due to the scale of construction in Paisley Town Hall, a period of snagging and defect management was undertaken. This has now been drawn to a close with no significant issues. 4.3 A review is currently underway of the lifecycle and maintenance requirements for the Town Hall which will in time be widened to include the Paisley Arts Centre and the Museum as it is imperative that the ambitious investment in these venues is safeguarded in the coming years. When concluded this will be the subject of a future report. 5. Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub 5.1. Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub is a 21st century community hub and a modern home for library services at the heart of Paisley High Street, bringing new footfall into the town centre. The venue opened its doors to the public in November 2023. 5.2. The transformation of an empty shop unit on Paisley High Street into a learning and cultural hub, which has Paisley Central Library at its heart, has been recognised with a number of awards nominations. The project has won the ESG Refurbishment of the Year at the Scottish Property Awards, Judges’ Special Recognition Award at the Herald Property Awards for Scotland, and the Physical category at the EDGE Awards, as well as taking home silver in the Regeneration Category at the Scottish Design Awards. It is also nominated for an AJ Architecture Award which will be announced in December 2024.
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5.3. Herald Property Awards for Scotland Judging Panel Chair Tom Barclay said: "There has often been an awards project that has captured the judge’s imagination, sometimes for their bravery and often for the determination of the partners involved, to succeed. This year was one of those years. As one of the judges who visited this project, I couldn't fail to be blown away, not just by the technical challenge and architectural solution, but by the human stories that emerged from this venture, taking a building that dates back to the 1870's and creating a 'public living room', promoting a safe space for all generations to come together, to play, to learn, or simply to engage." 6. Paisley Arts Centre 6.1. The modernisation of Paisley Arts Centre into a unique and intimate performance venue and creative hub has been completed and is open to the public. Work was undertaken to transform the performance facilities, audience experience and venue space and includes new back-of-house and performance facilities, improved sound and lighting, upgraded dressing rooms for artists, and enhanced workshop space for rehearsals and other events. The main auditorium has been refurbished with new retractable seating to improve the audience experience and there is an expanded bar area for pre-and post-show drinks. The public space at the front of the building has also been redesigned, removing the railings and adding new paving and seating, and a small extension has been added to the entrance of the building on New Street. Year-round activity of music, comedy and theatre has been programmed following the success of the first test event, When Mountains Meet, which took place on 31 May. 7. Paisley Museum Reimagined 7.1 Paisley Museum Reimagined will be a world-class destination telling the inspirational stories of Paisley’s people and pattern and showcasing its internationally significant collections. This project includes repairing and renovating all buildings on the museum campus delivering a 20% increase in the overall usable area. The construction also includes a new extension housing a visitor reception and café, the installation of new mechanical, electrical and plant systems, as well as the introduction of a public courtyard. Importantly, this work enables an increase in the interpretation of the collections and number of objects on display, with a strong focus on digital interpretation. 7.2 The project consists of three key phases – Main Contract dealing with construction, followed by Exhibition Fitout to prepare the infrastructure for the display systems, completed by Object Install. 7.3 International Award for Cultural Regeneration 7.4 Paisley Museum’s redesign has been recognised as internationally award winning. Our Architect AL_A won the Cultural Regeneration category at the AR Future Projects 2024 Awards in March 2024, organised by the global architecture magazine The Architectural Review. The museum was on a shortlist of 13
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projects including the Prado Museum in Madrid, the Shanghai Opera House and the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. 7.5 Construction 7.6 A revised programme to completion was received from our Main Contractor, Kier Construction Ltd on 25 October 2024. They are currently reporting progress against construction programme forecasting contract completion in July 2025. Once the main contract is complete, this will allow the second and third stages of the project (exhibition fitout and object install) to be completed. 7.7 As is expected in a heritage building such as the museum, years of neglect and lack of maintenance has resulted in the uncovering of many unforeseen site conditions, including rotted roof joists, dry rot, wet rot, asbestos, extensive plasterwork repairs that have hampered and delayed progress on site and for which Keir have been entitled to additional time to remedy and complete the project. This is further compounded by other contractor issues and delays to progress on site. The OneRen PMR project team including external Project Managers Currie & Brown are working with Kier to establish mitigation measures to try to bring in this date by including suggested improvements to resource and sequencing of works. Completed display structures are in offsite storage awaiting installation in the museum next year once construction is complete as part of the exhibition fitout. This then enables the final stage of object installation. 7.8 Consultants Gardiner & Theobald and Currie & Brown have completed a strategic, commercial and programme project review to address these challenges in completing the main contract. 7.9 In the reporting period there has been progress in the following areas on site: • All roof works on the main museum building and Oakshaw properties including Observatory are practically complete. • The new mains gas, water and electricity services are live with meters installed and pre-commissioning work is progressing. • Wall-lining, historic plaster, and cornice repairs are complete in the upper galleries and decoration is nearing completion. Plaster repairs continue to progress in most other areas. • Floor screeding works in the new West Extension and Entrance have been completed and the new entrance doors have been installed. • Work in the Oakshaw buildings is nearing completion with final decoration in areas ahead of new floor finishes. • External hard and soft landscaping work is practically complete at the Oakshaw buildings and Transit House with the formation of footpaths and steps to the new bin store and café terrace. The new sandstone paving to
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the external courtyard is complete and grading of the landscape gardens to the east and west is progressing. • Building Warrants 1-23 are approved. 7.10 Exhibition Fitout 7.11 Our Exhibition Fit-out Contractor, The Hub, and their sub-contractors have now manufactured 95% of the exhibition components including aluminium display units, showcases and mounts. The remaining displays to be produced mostly include joinery items which will be manufactured nearer the time of install. All completed displays are in offsite storage awaiting installation in the museum next year. 7.12 Digital Interactives 7.13 Smiley Charity Film Award - One of the museum’s digital productions, The Guild film, which is a co-produced stop-motion animation with Kairos Women+ Group, won Bronze in the People's Choice category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards in London on 20th March 2024. The film, about the suffragette Molly Mercer and the Scottish Cooperative Women’s Guild, was created with Media Co-op. The Guild film was also entered into the Paisley HB film Festival 2-6 October 2024, giving the group an opportunity to view the film in front of a public audience. 7.14 The Audio Visual & Information Communication Technology Systems Integration Contract was formally awarded to Heritage Interactive Ltd on 30th July 2024. They are responsible for the purchasing, installation and commissioning of the digital AV hardware equipment in the museum displays. 7.15 All other digital software contracts including interactives, film, animation and AV shows are progressing well. 7.16 Collections and Conservation Work 7.17 The survey of the conservation work required to the paintings confirmed for replacing the PAI work has been completed and following a procurement process Sylvia Krauss Painting Conservation was identified as the preferred bidder. All conservation work to the paintings is expected to be completed by the end of December 2024. 7.18 Paisley Museum Reimagined Collections Install Coordinator has developed a detailed programme and identified the necessary resource required to install the collections into the museum as the Exhibition Fit-out Contract completes. This programme has been discussed with The Hub and their object mount-maker Orbis. 7.19 Paisley Museum Reimagined project photographer has to date taken 2081 site photos, 695 location images and 1550 objects photos, resulting in a total of 4976 images. In addition, there have been 1012 project photographs (groups action and portraiture). Overall, there have been 10314 photographs with 3991 photos uploaded to the collections management system, AdLib.
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7.20 Signage & Wayfinding Design 7.21 Signage & Wayfinding icons testing was undertaken on 11 May 2024 and the consultant, DNCO is since finalised Icons and Maps for further testing. External museum signage is being coordinated with AL_A and a prototype package is being prepared and tender preparation work is underway. 7.22 Economy & Regeneration Board Members Briefing and Site Visit 7.23 On April 30th members of the Economy & Regeneration Board were hosted at Paisley Town hall for a special briefing on the Museum progress, followed by a site visit, with insights from industry experts including Gordon Morrison, CEO, Association of Cultural Enterprises, Dr. Mark O’Neill, Former Head of Museums & Arts Glasgow, and Research Fellow, Research Centre for Museums and Galleries, University of Leicester, Amanda Levete MBE, Principal Architect, AL_A Architects. 7.24 Gordon Morrison reflected the UK wide interest in Paisley’s economic development through culture and the importance of the museum in building secondary spend in the wider economy through domestic and international visitation, while Mark O’Neill provided insights from research on the socio- economic case for renewal through culture and the benefits to population health. Both contributors applauded the ambition of the Council’s investment as part of a longer-term plan for Renfrewshire. 7.25 Amanda Levete’s contribution placed the Council’s plans and vision for the museum on a global stage and this has been endorsed through the Museum’s first award, being internationally recognised for its design in delivering to Cultural Regeneration. 7.26 Aileen Strachan, Content Delivery Manager for the project showcased the scale and impact of the life-changing work that has been going on while the museum has been closed and how this work is supporting the design of displays and programmes. 7.27 Renfrewshire Council is creating a world-class museum with community at its core. We believe that as well as the museum’s design the ‘community’ aspect of our work is truly world-class that will bring our museum to life. That by working with people and communities, we are bringing fresh perspectives to the treasures we hold, creating real and vibrant connections that allows our museum to reflect on the past, but very much look forward to the future. A truly contemporary, world- class museum that has active rather than passive displays, that bring joy and challenge in equal measure. A museum that will never stand still, evolving stories and connections to build and engage with audiences in the years ahead. 7.28 Participation and co-production 7.29 We have Co-created the Schools Learning Programme through work with every Primary school in Renfrewshire, so we know it meets the needs of local teachers and pupils:
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• 18 Primary Schools directly involved in the creation of new experiences for the museum. • A further 32 Primary schools peer reviewed of resources and experiences. • Over 500 primary & secondary pupils involved in the testing and development of activities. 7.30 For our public programme, we spoke to over 70 local services, organisations and groups about how the museum could serve their needs: • 27 community and partner organisations were then involved in creating and testing new approaches to and creation of resources for audience engagement. • Over 500 participants have been attending test events, workshops and coproduction activities. 7.31 We have prioritised consulting and testing at every stage from ideas for themes through to testing the specifics of content produced with over 600 people. We have tested text for 25 stories with audiences and sense checked six. For four of those we have also done digital testing. 7.32 The story or interpretation is co-produced, or based on substantial partnership work, for 19 displays. There has been further, extensive participation around designing the Introductory Gallery. 7.33 50 of the 88 stories have been co-produced, text tested or there has been some kind of significant consultation with experts.
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8. Townscape Heritage and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme 2 (TH.CARS2) 8.1. The Paisley Townscape Heritage, Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme 2 - better known as Paisley TH.CARS2 – sought to preserve and improve the town’s history and make it a better place to live, work and visit now. Led by Renfrewshire Council, with significant funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland, plus additional contributions from property owners, Paisley TH.CARS2 has been hugely successful and supported the wider town centre strategy. Delivered between 2016 and 2024, this multi-million pound project has given grants to restore historic buildings, supported local businesses to improve shopfronts, and made identifiable improvements to the town centre’s paths, roads and streetlights. 8.2. Grants totalling more than £1.6 million have been invested in 10 historic buildings within Paisley’s town centre Conservation Area. 8.3. Nine were listed buildings and include local landmarks such as Sma’ Shot Cottages and the former Liberal Club. Works included roof restorations, refurbished façades and window repairs and replacements to match originals, and hidden repairs like rot and drainage works. 8.4. Investment in Paisley TH.CARS2 has encouraged private investment elsewhere in the town centre, with 6 buildings within the Conservation Area now removed from the Buildings at Risk Register and others currently undergoing refurbishment. 8.5. Paisley TH.CARS2 has also enhanced the visual of the town centre for residents and visitors by reinstating historic shopfronts through the Shopfront Improvement Scheme. 10 projects have been supported through Paisley TH.CARS2 with a grant total of over £400,000. Investments in shopfronts improve the perception of the town centre painting it as a vibrant, exciting place to live, work and visit. 8.6. A Small Building Grants scheme aimed to repair and reinstate striking architectural features in the town centre. 8.7. In total, 12 small grants with a total value of approximately £60,000 were awarded. Refurbishments included traditional sash and case timber windows, with Nomads a particular example thanks to its etched deco-styled travel symbols. In addition, specialist work was supported at 26 New Street to reinstate cast iron railings and lighting columns to the original 1894 design. 8.8. Improving the pavements, roads and streetlights in the town centre has been an important focus of the programme. Areas improved include George Place, the southside of the High Street, between Storie Street and the University of the West of Scotland, and Weighhouse Close. To maintain the integrity and character of the streets, recycling of cobblestones and kerbstones has taken place wherever possible. 8.9. A parallel programme of community engagement was delivered between 2017 and 2022. Delivered in collaboration with over 100 local and national partners, more than 2,700 people took part in training and activities across 630 workshops.
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8.10 An estimated audience of more than 65,000 people were reached through 40 exhibitions, 32 performances and 30 conferences, talks and demonstrations. 8.11 The programme created a legacy of over 70 digital resources - including films, maps and learning packs for schools - and 360 young people from Renfrewshire took part in traditional building skills workshops and training, and construction site visits. 8.12 Paisley TH.CARS2 invested in not only the town’s historic buildings, but in its people too. Celebrating and showcasing and the town’s heritage remains a fundamental part of the future vision for Paisley as we continue to offer people new reasons to visit the town centre and create a Paisley that residents, businesses and visitors can be proud of. 9 St James’ Playing Fields & Ferguslie Sports Centre 9.1 These projects will work towards delivering Renfrewshire’s vision to ‘make sport a way of life’. In 2018, Council approved the upgrading of changing facilities at Ferguslie Sports Centre and for the demolition and replacement of the existing pavilion at St James Playing Fields. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, a decision was made to put these projects on hold until such time that it was appropriate to proceed. 9.2 Ferguslie Sports Centre 9.3 Work to completely refurbish all existing changing facilities within the sports centre have been completed. Additional works have also been undertaken on the roof, while the boilers in the building have also been upgraded. The contractor is working through a final snagging list with the facility set to reopen in the near future with an enhanced visitor experience at the well utilised facility in Ferguslie. 9.4 St James’ Playing Fields 9.5 New modern changing facilities hosting eight changing rooms and office space for staff are being installed the playing fields, known locally as ‘The Racecourse’, as part of a £2.7million investment by Renfrewshire Council. In addition to the new changing facilities, four football pitches will be brought back into use and new walking path around the perimeter will be installed. Work is currently underway and is due to be completed before the end of the year. 10 On-X - world-class running track and hockey pitch 10.1 A World-Athletics standard running track has been installed at the On-X which will benefit hundreds of athletes of all ages and abilities on a weekly basis. The £450,000 investment, which includes £100,000 from Kilbarchan AAC, will allow the club to host league meetings, championship events and any records set on the track can be ratified by Scottish Athletics. The installation of the new track was hailed by Scottish athletics whose Chief Executive said: “We recognise and appreciate the challenging financial climate that Councils are operating within and are delighted that Renfrewshire Council value so highly the importance of investment in their sports facility infrastructure."
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10.2 A world-class hockey pitch has also been installed which meets Federation for International Hockey (FIH) standards. The £456,000 investment allows Scottish Men’s and Women’s Premiership and Scottish Women’s National League matches to be played in Renfrewshire on the new pitch now it meets governing body regulations. We are delighted to strengthen ties with our local University as the UWS hockey moves to On X to train and compete with a further seven senior teams from Renfrewshire club Kelburne all now able to relocate from their previous bases in Glasgow. A further two Renfrewshire senior teams from Anchor and Ferguslie Ladies take the total number to 11 all looking to train and compete at this exciting new facility. The facility will also support Kelburne’s youth section which currently supports approximately 130 under 18’s to learn and play hockey at all levels as well as Anchor’s Centurions who support a further 15, with all ability levels supported to immerse themselves in the sport. Kelburne’s ongoing schools programme is also set to be enhanced working with the Council’s leisure, culture and sport partner OneRen’s Active Schools. ________________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – There are a number of significant risks associated with capital investment on the scale outlined in the report, many of which have been previously advised to members. Construction and refurbishment works in historic buildings are intrinsically subject to a higher degree of cost volatility due to the nature of the works and the fact that the complexity and detail of the works required are in many instances not fully known until the works are in progress and the building condition is fully understood. The existing capital budgets for those works in progress –Paisley Museum – are under considerable pressure due to these issues and also due to the extended timescales of the works which were severely affected by the pandemic closedown and subsequent modified working practice period. Council agreed in June 2023 to pause elements of the wider cultural venues and town centre infrastructure programme in order to release funding towards those projects whose budgets are under pressure; and as these projects conclude and final costs are clarified, further updates to Board will be provided. It should be noted however that even with the above Council decision there remains a significant degree of risk and potential cost which could place further pressure on total capital resource. There has been ongoing discussion and updating of the business cases for each of the cultural venue with colleagues in OneRen, including critically the updating of base assumptions in terms of operating costs and potential income generation. While core assumptions and the projected revenue operating position of Paisley Town Hall and the Arts Centre currently remain broadly consistent with original projections, they continue to be refined as the venues become operational. The updating of assumptions is indicating that there is likely to be revenue funding pressures associated with Paisley Museum which are above original business case assumptions. These predominantly relate to a revised catering offer and emerging clarity on potential income from touring exhibitions; as well as updated projections of utilities, maintenance and soft FM costs. The Council will continue to discuss with OneRen options to mitigate
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these additional costs, however it would also be prudent for the Council to build these updated cost projections into future revenue plans. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is thriving – These projects will link our communities and facilitate a significant increase in footfall to Paisley and surrounding areas. The infrastructure will enable Renfrewshire to host world class performances and attract new footfall from far beyond the local area. • Our Renfrewshire is well - The outputs of these projects will enable safe and inspiring locations for all. From arts and performances to learning and educational space, Renfrewshire will offer anyone the ability to engage and take interest in either a new subject matter or an existing passion that is now much more accessible. Driving world class performances to the area and having 21st century work and education spaces will support people from Renfrewshire to engage in beneficial activities that will in turn support education and interest. • Reshaping our place, our economy and our future – These infrastructure projects allow access to new and existing jobs for people in our communities. Significant increase in footfall will benefit local businesses who can grow as a result and in turn support their ongoing viability in the area. An increase in arts and performances will allow a platform for Paisley becoming a cultural hub in Scotland which can be used to drive new educational agendas with greater access to this subject matter. • Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all – A specific focus has been applied to the redevelopment and construction of these projects to ensure accessibility is a key feature. A significant amount of thought has gone into making historic, and predominantly inaccessible buildings, available for anyone to enjoy and utilise. There are no barriers to utilising any of these buildings, and One Ren will continue to deliver an events programme that caters for everyone including those in more deprived areas. • Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy – With these buildings being in the heart of Paisley Town centre, it means they are accessible sustainably due to the well-connected nature of the town centre. Limited town centre parking will force the use of public transport which will work towards the net zero ambitions of the Council. Recently completed infrastructure through AMIDS, including the shared cycle and walkway, also enhances the connectivity, and in future years with the opening of the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside bridge, Paisley will become a vastly accessible route by sustainable travel. • Working together to improve outcomes - Officers and contractors continue to work closely with local businesses and a business
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engagement programme will commence shortly to bring this to focus. Throughout the development of these projects, several organisations were engaged to design the outputs including accessibility groups, the Scottish Government, Historic Environment Scotland, multiple private sector organisations and the local community. 4. Legal – None. 5. Property/Assets – Note the improvements being delivered to current assets. 6. Information Technology – None. 7. Equality & Human Rights - (a) 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 it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – None. 9. Procurement – all contracts are tendered in accordance with Council procurement procedures and where relevant taken to FRCS Board for approval. 10. Risk – Project specific and Programme level risk registers have been established for all projects. These are kept under regular review and reported to the Council’s internal City Deal and Infrastructure Programme Board. 11. Privacy Impact – None. 12. COSLA Policy Position – Not applicable. 13. Climate Risk – these projects will significantly improve all mechanical, electrical and plant systems within existing and new buildings affected. This, coupled with improved efficiency in windows and doors will drive down the requirement for heating, in turn lowering the carbon footprint from key council buildings. _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers None. __________________________________________________________________ BW October 2024
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Author: Barbara Walker, City Deal and Infrastructure Programme Director; Email Barbara.walker@renfrewshire.gov.uk