Paisley Museum update - Econ and Regen Board - August 2025 v4 to committee
Renfrewshire Council · 26 August 2025
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 26 August 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 26 August 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Paisley Museum – update on construction progress ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Paisley Museum will be a world-class destination telling the inspirational stories of Paisley’s people and pattern and showcasing its internationally significant collections. 1.2 This report gives an update on the construction progress as Kier Construction Ltd enter the final stages of the first major refurbishment in the building’s 150-year history nears completion. 1.3 Whilst the pandemic significantly affected the original timeline, post pandemic availability of resource in a number of trades, including specialist conservation resource and supplies has continued to impact the project throughout. 1.4 In addition, more recent delays have been due to a combination of factors, for example; unforeseen structural and conservation issues uncovered during renovation of the historic buildings (many areas were inaccessible and could not be fully identified until later in the construction programme); complex utility infrastructure problems, where services were installed incorrectly and unrecorded by utility companies and required significant rectification and latent defects which were worse than anticipated from pre-construction surveys. There have also been significant works required to previously
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inaccessible areas that could not have been identified earlier in the programme. 1.5 This is an extremely complex project and whilst it was always expected that unforeseeable issues would be encountered during construction the scale of these has been much more than anticipated. These issues reflect the challenges in managing a historic building undergoing its first major modernisation. 1.6 The work undertaken will significantly expand, renew, remodel and transform the building from its previous footprint whilst simultaneously bringing the historic aspects of the building up to modern standards, protect its long-term future, and attract thousands of visitors to Paisley town centre each year. 1.7 This project has included the repair and renovation of all historic buildings on the museum campus and will deliver a net 20% increase in the overall usable area reflecting the scale of demolition, renewal and remodelling incorporated into the project. The construction incorporates a significant new extension which will provide an iconic visitor entrance and reception as well as an on-site café, the installation of new mechanical, electrical and plant systems, and the introduction of a public courtyard. 1.8 The newly extended galleries will allow more of the museum’s remarkable items to be displayed than ever before and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the community and our partners to create an outstanding visitor experience. 1.9 Having already won awards for its design, the construction period is now progressing towards completion which is expected by the end of this year followed by a complex fit-out period to ready the Museum for its official reopening in the second half of 2026. 1.10 Once completed, the project will deliver a truly transformed cultural asset not just in terms the condition of the historic buildings but a transformation in the scale of the overall facility and the quality and depth of the cultural experience that visitors will enjoy, placing Paisley Museum within the very top cohort of museum facilities across Europe. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations
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2.1 Board members are asked to: i) Note the contents of the progress update. ii) Note that a further update report will be brought to a future Economy and Regeneration Policy Board to provide further detail on the fit-out process. _________________________________________________________ 3. Construction progression 3.1 Kier Construction Ltd continue to deliver the construction contract for the museum, and are progressing into the final stages of work, after which the fit-out period to install the collections will commence. 3.2 New oak flooring has been completed on Level 1 of the Factory Hall, East Extension, West Extension, and Gallery 1. OneRen and a vehicle specialist will be completing the final parts of the fire tender restoration once Kier have completed the decoration of the wall and ceiling in the area where the fire tender was previously boxed in. 3.3 Oak flooring has been completed in the Introductory Gallery and a crash deck scaffold has been erected to enable completion of all high- level decoration. High Level decoration is also complete in the Pillar Gallery and decoration of the main Rotunda 1, Sculpture Court and Factory Hall 1 and 2 is progressing well. 3.4 Kier are planning the final redecoration of galleries 2-5 ahead of final commissioning of the underfloor trench heating this month. 3.5 The acoustic ceilings have been completed above the main entrance and lift lobby on Level 1 and the HeartFelt modular felt ceiling system and lighting in the West Extension has commenced. The
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brass handrails leading up the stairs from the main entrance have been installed together with the handrails along the Factory Hall balcony. 3.6 The crash deck scaffold in the shop will be dismantled shortly following completion of all ceiling void, high-level plaster cornice and decoration works. 3.7 The library lift installation is planned to get underway in August. This lift and the ‘night entrance’ introduces contained access from the High Street to the Factory Hall gallery and Learning Space 1 on Level 2 and will allow possibility of evening event or activities without opening the rest of the museum. 3.8 Works in all Oakshaw properties, including Transit House and the Observatory, are almost complete and snagging benchmark inspections will take place in mid-August. 3.9 Soft landscaping is complete in all areas around the museum, with the exception of the garden area adjacent the former Territorial Army Centre site boundary. This will be completed in September 2025. 3.10 The public realm hard landscaping works just outside the Museum were delayed due to existing utility services installed over many previous years by various utility providers not being installed correctly and requiring rectification before landscaping could be completed. This was outside the control of Kier, the Council or OneRen. Works are now progressing well, and all services have now been lowered successfully, allowing the installation of new kerbing and Caithness slabs. A new bus- shelter and street lighting will be installed during August which will allow the removal of temporary traffic and pedestrian management. 4. Exhibition fit out and object installation 4.1 Following the completion of the construction contract, the exhibition fitout and object installation will follow as we prepare the Museum for reopening.
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4.2 This will be carried out by “The Hub”, a contractor renowned for their work with heritage and cultural landmarks, including some of the UK’s most iconic museums including, The V&A, The Natural History Museum, Royal Shakespeare Company, and Tate Modern. With more than 20 years’ experience, they will curate the fit out the museum enabling us to showcase our internationally significant collections. 4.3 The exhibition fit-out contract will only commence when Kier Construction Ltd have completed the main works to the standard specified and quality expected. The sensitive and specialist nature of museum exhibition installations can only progress when the gallery spaces are fully complete, dust free and include fully commissioned services that meet the specific environmental parameters required to house our collections. 4.4 The Hub and their sub-contractors will be on site in September 2025 to begin familiarisation of the building systems and operation in advance of the handover at the end of the construction contract. The Hub have commenced their mobilisation process preparation and are looking to firm up their site management and wider fit-out resources. They expect to have their site manager on site in September 2025.
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4.5 The Hub have already completed production of the majority of the display components, including flexible display systems, display cases and interactives, and these are in storage until they are required. All prototyping and samples have been approved and the finished displays are of high quality. The final specialist joinery items and in-built display cases are now planned for manufacture as we reach the conclusion of construction. 4.6 We are now in the final stages of delivering all digital interpretations, including AV shows, films and digital game interactives, with our specialist contractors. We have already won the Smiley Charity Bronze award for one of our co-produced films with local organisation Kairos. 4.7 More than 1,000 objects have been conserved by more than 20 experts and are now ready for installation. The final pieces – including an Indian chainmail shirt and archival glass slides – will be complete in the coming months. 4.8 The object installation programme and resource review are complete and has been shared with The Hub and their mount-maker Orbis ready for implantation following exhibition fitout. 5. Next steps 5.1 A further update report will be brought to a future Economy and Regeneration Policy Board which will provide further detail on the fit-out process for the Museum. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – the financial implications of the updated constructions and fit out programme will be reported in detail in the financial overview report to be presented to the September Council board cycle. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None Our Renfrewshire is thriving – The Museum is the flagship of our Cultural Infrastructure investment in our heritage assets. Together these will facilitate a significant increase in footfall to Paisley and surrounding area and 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.
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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 – 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 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 the Museum, 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 the Museum being in the heart of Paisley Town centre, it is accessible sustainably due to the well-connected nature of the town centre. Limited town centre parking will encourage the use of public transport which will work towards the net zero ambitions of the Council. Recently completed infrastructure through AMIDS, including shared cycle and walkways, also enhances the connectivity, and with the opening of the Renfrew Bridge, Paisley has become a more accessible route by sustainable travel. Working together to improve outcomes - Officers and contractors continue to work closely with local businesses and a business engagement programme is ongoing to bring this to focus. 3. Legal - none 4. Information Technology – None. 5. 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
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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. 6. Health & Safety – None 7. Procurement – None 8. Risk – Project specific risk registers are in place. These are kept under regular review and reported to the Council’s internal City Deal and Infrastructure Programme Board. 9. Privacy Impact – None. 10. COSLA Policy Position – Not applicable. 11. Climate Risk – these projects will significantly improve all mechanical, electrical and plant systems. This, coupled with improved efficiency in windows and doors will drive down the requirement for heating, in turn lowering the carbon footprint from the building. Author: Barbara Walker, City Deal and Infrastructure Programme Director