Renfrewshire Council

Following a £7million investment as part of an ongoing drive to regenerate Paisley and attract visitors to the town centre, the new Learning and Cultural Hub, home to Paisley Central Library, topped the ESG Refurbishment of the Year category at the recent Scottish Property Awards.

The project was also nominated in the Regeneration Project of the Year category alongside the £20million renovation of Paisley Town Hall.

Describing the win as a "fantastic achievement", technical unit programme manager, Frank Farrell, thanked colleagues in property services and across the council, acknowledging the collective efforts of everyone who worked in partnership to make the project a success.

Frank said: "Right from the beginning we all took great pride in being part of such a prestigious project, while still navigating the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Collaboration, particularly with our OneRen and Collective Architecture partners, has been key, and this award recognises the dedication and efforts of everyone involved.

This Hub continues our successful track record in delivering large-scale developments and leaves a welcoming, inclusive legacy for the community to enjoy for many years to come."

Recognising our values in action

The success of large-scale regeneration projects like this one depends on a wide range of factors and is in no small way down to the values-led approach of those colleagues involved.

Project Manager Natalie Thorne, who led the interior fit out of both the Learning and Cultural Hub and Paisley Town Hall, has been recognised for her collaborative approach. You can find out more about her work, and why she was nominated for living our values here.

Explore the hub

The refurbished four-storey building on Paisley High Street, a former vacant shop unit, includes a unique children's play area, outdoor terrace, community rooms, a study area for young adults as well as free Wi-Fi and PC access to support digital inclusivity.

Now open and fully operational, you can drop in to explore during opening hours any day from Monday to Saturday. Or why not come along to one of OneRen's exciting upcoming events, including the recently announced return of Paisley Book Festival, author visits, Bookbug sessions for families, and storytelling workshops.

Find out more information on the learning and cultural hub or about Paisley's regeneration.

Published on Friday 15 March 2024