Planning permission granted for £42million Paisley museum renovation

Paisley Museum is to receive a £42 million renovation after planning permission was granted.

An extension and external alterations will be made to the Category A-listed Victorian building after proposals were approved by Renfrewshire Council's Communities, Housing and Planning Board.

The museum closed last year for the renovations, and is expected to reopen in 2022.

The renovations include:

• an entrance courtyard with red glazed entrance hall.

• a new wing to the west of the existing building providing access through the museum to the Coats Observatory, the oldest public observatory in Scotland.

• an outdoor garden, opening up previously-hidden views of the observatory

• internal renovations to extend the museum into space formerly occupied by Paisley Central Library.

• an interactive weaving studio.

Historic Environment Scotland said the proposals were "very positive''.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council's Communities, Housing and Planning Board, said: The Paisley Museum Reimagined project is at the heart of our bold plans to transform Paisley town centre in the years ahead - we are delighted it was able to pass this important milestone today.''

The local authority estimate that the project will create a £79 million boost to the local economy over 30 years and draw audiences of 125,000 people a year - almost four times current numbers - when it reopens.

Paisley Museum was opened in 1871, designed by Glasgow architect Sir John Honeyman. The building was gifted to the town by thread manufacturer Sir Peter Coats.

Paisley's collections are available to the public while the work is happening at Paisley: The Secret Collection on the town's High Street.

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