Paisley museum set to reopen after four year delay

The long-overdue reconstruction of Paisley Museum has been completed, almost four years after it was due to reopen.

Renfrewshire Council said the museum will now be fitted out with new exhibits, ready for a planned public reopening in 2026.

The project, which aims to create a world-class visitor destination, was originally scheduled to be completed in 2022, but has been delayed multiple times.

The £68.7m redevelopment will include about 100 displays, many of which have been worked on by local people.

These include a red glass entrance and panoramic extension, new outdoor garden, cafe and picnic areas.

The revamp - the first in the museum's 150 year history - is part of a four-pronged investment by Renfrewshire Council in an attempt to increase visits to Paisley.

It includes work on Paisley Town Hall, the town's arts centre and a new library.

In December 2024 the council agreed to put an extra £12.5m into the project, raising the total budget to over £65m.

Construction on the A-listed main building and Coats Observatory was scheduled to be completed by July 2025 at the time of the budget increase, but was pushed back to the end of last year due to "unforeseen issues".

Once reopened, the museum will be operated by Renfrewshire's leisure and cultural charity OneRen.

The council said after significant external and internal repairs, there will be modern galleries on every floor and double the amount of space available to showcase the museum's collections.

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Renfrewshire Council's spokesperson for culture who also chairs OneRen, said she was delighted construction works have finished.

"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," she said.

"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."

Councillor Hughes said investment in the town was making it an "exciting time" to live in and visit Paisley.