Construction expected to begin early summer

Kier has been confirmed as the main contractor for the 拢42m extension of Paisley Museum.

Construction is expected to start within the next few months after Renfrewshire council rubber-stamped Kier鈥檚 appointment.

paisley

Construction of the museum鈥檚 extension is set to begin within months

The contractor鈥檚 contract is worth 拢23m.

Final negotiations will now take place with a view to formally appointing Kier next month, the council said.

The overhaul, which has been designed by Amanda Levete鈥檚 practice AL_A, was OK鈥檇 by council planners in October 2019.

It will allow the museum to more than double the number of objects on display to 1,200 and attract an expected 128,000 visitors each year when its doors open.

Improvement work will include a new entrance courtyard and entranceway, along with a new west wing, outdoor garden space and an interactive weaving studio.

The museum is expected to re-open in 2022. Opened in 1871, it was designed by Glasgow architect John Honeyman.

The expansion is the key project in the 拢100m regeneration of Paisley, which also includes a refurbishment of the town鈥檚 A-listed town hall and construction of a new learning and cultural hub on the town鈥檚 high street.

Kier had also been lined up to carry out the town hall project, but it was confirmed this week that Galliford Try鈥檚 Scottish arm Morrison had been picked to replace the firm. 

The council re-procured the job after a disagreement between the council and Hub West Scotland, a Scottish government body set up to ensure value for money on public sector works, over risk following Kier鈥檚 original appointment in May 2019.

The project will see the building modernised to enable it to host cultural and entertainment events and is expected to be completed by November next year.