Paisley Museum to regenerate after major investment by local council and HLF 6 Oct 2017

Paisley, the smallest urban area to apply to become 2021 City of Culture, is involved in major regeneration, including a £42m plan to overhaul the town’s museum. The local council will be investing £24.1m, while HLF has agreed to add £4.9m. The plan is to create ‘a world class’ visitor attraction with a shop, café, and more attractive displays. Collections will tell the story of the paisley pattern which is famously associated with the town. The museum hopes to attract 125,000 visitors a year, and create the equivalent of 42 new permanent jobs. The local council’s investment is part of a wider strategy to keep the town alive and economically successful in changing times. Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said “the way people shop has changed forever – so we have to create new life and new footfall by finding new ways to bring people into the town. Paisley can do that by making the most of the unique selling point that is our heritage and textile story – and the museum revamp, along with the museum store due to open this year and the new library will drive new footfall to our high street.”  HLF, The Scotsman