Regeneration of the Domestic Finishing Mill

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Securing the Mill’s future

The Finishing Mill dominates views over the centre of Paisley and has a deep rooted link with the social, economic and cultural development of the town and its people. Its redevelopment is significant for the town in creating new jobs, attracting investment and raising the profile of Paisley as a place in which to live and work. The conversion of the building to residential and business use is the result of a unique public/private sector partnership. Production at the Mill ended over 20 years ago and the building became increasingly derelict until foodstore operator Safeway purchased the building and grounds in 1997. Safeway obtained planning permission for the development of a foodstore on the grounds east of the Mill and disposed of the Mill building to the Prince of Wales Phoenix Trust, a charitable organisation which refurbishes nationally important listed buildings. The planning consent for the foodstore was complemented by a legal agreement between the Council and Safeway which committed Safeway to making a major financial contribution to the refurbishment of the Mill.

The Phoenix Trust obtained planning permission and listed building consent to convert the Mill into 60 luxury apartments on the top three floors of the building, with 2000 sq metres of business space on the first floor and parking facilities on the ground floor. The conversion also includes:

• The restoration of the building’s internal atrium, creating a spacious internal courtyard with natural light from the glazed roof.
• A new bridge over the River White Cart which gives vehicular access to the refurbished building and to the new Morrison’s 75,000 sq ft superstore.

Unique Partnership

To allow the conversion to go ahead, a unique public/private partnership was brought together by Renfrewshire Council comprising of the Council, the Phoenix Trust, Safeway, Persimmon Homes, Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire and Historic Scotland. The partnership put together a funding package for the £12m project, with a core financial contribution from Safeway enhanced by public funding from the Council, Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire and Historic Scotland. Private sector funding was also contributed by Persimmon Homes, who were responsible for developing the residential and business space. Following this lengthy process, building works started in June 2003 and were completed in May 2005. The Mill was officially opened by HRH The Prince of Wales at a ceremony on 21 June 2005.



The Mill as a symbol of Paisley

In an article on 10 June 2003 to announce the legal commitment to the project, 'The Scotsman' newspaper summed up the role of the building in the town’s psyche :

'...a magnificent structure, symbolic of heritage that has been derelict for years, a monument to the past and Paisley’s apparent inability to overcome its difficulties. When its beauty is revealed .. Paisley’s renaissance begins.'

The rebirth of the Domestic Finishing Mill marks a significant step in the regeneration of Paisley. In addition to the successful restoration of this iconic building, the redevelopment is a prominent and visible symbol of the continued regeneration of town and the bright future for its residents.


To find out more about the project from the council's planning division:

• email : pt@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0141 842 5811/5822
• fax : 0141 842 5040
• call or write to:
  Planning and Transport
  Renfrewshire House
  Cotton Street
  Paisley
  PA1 1LL

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