Kier Regional Building Scotland has been appointed to carry out the pre-construction phase of the £22m transformation of the 19th-century Paisley Town Hall into a modern facility.
The project, for hub West Scotland, delivery partner for Renfrewshire Council, will allow the Town Hall to host a broader range of events as well as providing new catering and conference facilities, better physical access, and improved mechanical and electrical systems.
Advance works are taking place on the site at present and Kier will start work on the main construction phase from January 2020.
The project is one of a number of heritage jobs Kier is undertaking in Scotland, including the refurbishment of the Burrell Collection in Glasgow. It has also recently completed the complex redevelopment of Scotland’s oldest concert venue, Aberdeen Music Hall.
The latest win also marks some welcome good news for the contractor in the Scottish heritage sector, after its £25m contract to restore the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building in Glasgow was terminated in June last year.
Brian McQuade, managing director of Kier Regional Building Scotland, said: “We are pleased to work with Renfrewshire Council, operators Renfrewshire Leisure and hub West Scotland as we help to protect and transform Paisley Town Hall into a modern, vibrant venue. Activity will see a wealth of improvements for performers and visitors alike. Work is due to start on-site in early 2020 and be completed by the end of 2021. As well as transforming Paisley Town Hall into a top-class destination, we will be creating local jobs for local people together with valuable learning and training opportunities.”
Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of Renfrewshire Leisure, added: “The £22m internal transformation of Paisley Town Hall is one of the key projects within a wider investment by Renfrewshire Council to use Paisley’s internationally-significant cultural and heritage story to drive new footfall to the town.
“It will turn this 19th-century architectural gem into a 21st-century facility and a landmark entertainment venue for the West of Scotland capable of hosting bigger and better events – while keeping a much-loved building at the heart of life in the town for future generations, as it has been for the past 140 years. We look forward to working with Kier on the main construction work starting next year – and all involved will make sure residents, businesses and neighbours are kept closely informed of work while it happens.”
