New external and internal photos of Paisley Museum, which is set to open later this year, have been released ahead of the fit-out period.
Despite delays and increased costs caused by Covid, construction snags and soaring inflation, the new £68.7m museum is on track to open later this year and aims to make the Scottish town one of Europe’s leading museum destinations.
Construction work on the A-listed main building and Coats Observatory – the oldest public observatory in Scotland – has now completed and the fit-out is about to commence.
The project has seen a red-glass accessible entrance and panoramic extension added to the building, as well as a new garden, cafe-restaurant, shop and learning spaces. Internally, the project will double the amount of gallery space.
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“As with many projects involving historic buildings and with this being the first major refurbishment in its 150-year history, there have been challenges, but I’m excited for us to now look forward now to the fit-out process as we create the environment that will allow us to tell the stories of Paisley’s history and its people,” said councillor and chair of OneRen, Lisa-Marie Hughes.
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“The building looks incredible and once the fit-out and installation of the objects and exhibitions is complete, we will have a visitor attraction that local people and communities will be proud of and one that will attract thousands of visitors to the town each year who will boost the local economy.
“The museum is the culmination of a decade of investment in Paisley’s cultural buildings, and in the town itself, which has changed perceptions of the area, given people new reasons to visit, and contributed to it being named Scotland’s Town of the Year. It’s an exciting time to live, work and be a part of Paisley.”
The renovated museum’s design was produced by international architects AL_A led by Stirling Prize winner Amanda Levete, and Matt Wilkinson, who will speak at the Museums Association’s forthcoming conference Show Time: Designing Great Exhibitions.
The project has been funded by Renfrewshire Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, and the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, as well as fundraising from donors and benefactors. Once open, it will be operated by Renfrewshire’s leisure and cultural charity OneRen.
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