Programme

We are committed to making our Christmas events as accessible and inclusive as possible.

This guide has been designed to help visitors plan their trip before attending one of our Christmas Lights Switch-On events.

On this page you will find accessibility information for:

• Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On
• Linwood Christmas Lights Switch-On
• Renfrew Christmas Lights Switch-On
• Erskine Christmas Lights Switch-On
• Johnstone Christmas Lights Switch-On

Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On

Site description

Paisley Christmas Lights Switch On takes place across several streets and open areas in Paisley town centre. Most surfaces are hard and paved, with typical road surfaces and pavements. 

Accessible viewing area

A dedicated raised accessible viewing area will be available beside the main stage on Gauze Street.

Features include:

• Ramp access
• Steward support
• Folding chairs
• Good views of the stage

Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Quiet spaces

Quiet spaces are available at:

• Paisley Central Library
• Quiet space marquee in Abbey Gardens

These provide a calmer environment away from busy event areas.

Accessible toilets

Accessible toilets will be available at:

• Abbey Close
• Dunn Square
• High Street
• Gauze Street
• Smithhills Street
• Bridge Street
• County Square

Baby changing facilities are available within these locations.

Changing Places facility

A mobile Changing Places toilet will be located on Cotton Street beside the accessible viewing area. 

Accessible parking and mobility support

Blue Badge parking is available at:

• Paisley Centre (Horizon) Car Park
• Piazza Shopping Centre Car Park

Shopmobility Renfrewshire can provide wheelchair, mobility scooter and powerchair hire. 

Sound and sensory information

The event includes:

• Amplified live music
• Street performances
• Decorative lighting
• Large crowds

Visitors who are sensitive to noise may wish to bring hearing protection.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome. Please be aware that the event may be busy and noisy at times.

Linwood Christmas Lights Switch-On

Site description

Linwood Christmas Lights Switch-On takes place primarily within Tweedie Hall and nearby community spaces.

Most of the activities take place indoors.

Venue access

Facilities include:

• Step-free access
• Accessible toilets
• Level access routes
• Indoor seating
• Heated indoor spaces

Sound and sensory information

The event includes:

• Family entertainment
• Children's disco
• Live performances
• Christmas lights switch-on

The venue may become busy at peak times.

Family facilities

Facilities include:

• Baby changing facilities
• Indoor waiting areas
• Family activity spaces

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the event.

Renfrew Christmas Lights Switch-On

Site description

Renfrew Christmas Lights Switch-On takes place across Renfrew town centre.

Activities include Santa's Grotto, festive entertainment, a giant snow globe, panto performances and family activities.

Quiet space

A quiet space marquee will be available on High Street throughout the event.

Accessible toilets

Accessible toilets will be available at:

• High Street
• Charles Avenue Car Park
• Renfrew Town Hall
• Renfrew Christian Fellowship Church

Changing Places facility

A mobile Changing Places toilet will be available on High Street.

Accessible parking

Blue Badge parking will be available close to the event site outside road closure areas.

Sound and sensory information

The event includes:

• Amplified music
• Interactive performances
• Crowds throughout the town centre

Visitors who are sensitive to noise may wish to attend earlier in the day.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the event.

Erskine Christmas Lights Switch-On

Site description

Erskine Christmas Lights Switch-On takes place across:

• Erskine Civic Square
• Erskine Arts Hall
• Kilpatrick Drive Car Park

Indoor welfare space

Erskine Arts Hall provides:

• Seating
• Shelter from the weather
• Welfare facilities
• A quieter indoor environment

Accessible facilities

Visitors will have access to:

• Accessible parking
• Accessible toilets
• Indoor seating
• First aid provision

Sound and sensory information

The event includes:

• Live music
• Choir performances
• Amplified announcements
• Crowds during the switch-on

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the event.

Johnstone Christmas Lights Switch-On

Site description

Johnstone Christmas Lights Switch-On takes place entirely within Houston Square. The event site consists mainly of flat paved surfaces and pedestrian areas.

Stage and viewing areas

The main stage is located at the Houston Square Bandstand.

There is no dedicated accessible viewing platform, however there are good sightlines around the square towards the raised platform of the bandstand.

Quiet space

A dedicated quiet space marquee will be available on the edge of Houston Square.

Accessible toilets

Accessible toilets will be available at the corner of Houston Square and William Street.

Changing Places facility

A mobile Changing Places toilet will be available adjacent to Houston Square.

Accessible parking

Blue Badge parking is available:

• Adjacent to Johnstone Town Hall
• Within Collier Street Car Park

Sound and sensory information

The event includes:

• Amplified music
• Stage announcements
• Crowds throughout the day

At approximately 5pm, confetti cannons will be used during the Christmas lights switch-on. These create a sudden loud noise. Visitors who are sensitive to noise may wish to bring hearing protection.

Family facilities

The event includes:

• Santa's Grotto
• Face painting
• Giant snow globe
• Funfair attractions
• Family entertainment

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the event.

Contact us

If you have accessibility questions before attending one of our Christmas Lights Switch-On events, please contact the Events Team and we will do our best to assist.

Email events@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Help spread the word

By sharing information about Christmas lights switch-on events in Renfrewshire you can help more people enjoy the festive season in the local area.

Please use our key messages, images and promotional materials on your:

• social media channels
• website
• newsletters
• venue screens
• noticeboards and community spaces

You can also create your own content using your organisation's tone of voice.

Key messages about Paisley Christmas lights switch-on

• Paisley Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 14 November from 1pm to 6pm in Paisley town centre
• The lights will switch on at 6pm with music from Skipinnish
• Enjoy performances from Artie's Singing Kettle, local community performers, the Laurettes and Skipinnish
• There will be free family fun, including roaming festive characters and illuminated winter birds, plus a funfair, Big Feed street food market and much more
• The event is free to attend

Key messages about Linwood Christmas lights switch-on

• Linwood Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Thursday 19 November from 5.30pm to 8.30pm in Tweedie Hall, Linwood
• The lights will switch on at 8.15pm 
• Enjoy a festive Christmas party with interactive entertainment
• There will also be free family fun, including face painting, Christmas crafts and activities, the Living Christmas Trees and much more
• The event is free to attend

Key messages about Renfrew Christmas lights switch-on

• Renfrew Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 21 November from 12noon to 5pm in Renfrew town centre
• The lights will switch on at 5pm
• There will be free family fun, including Santa's grotto, the giant snow globe family photo opportunity, face painting and much more
• Families can also enjoy a festive pantomime in Renfrew Town Hall
• The event is free to attend

Key messages about Erskine Christmas lights switch-on

• Erskine Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Friday 27 November from 6pm to 8pm in Erskine Civic Square
• The lights will switch on at 7.30pm
• Expect a giant snow globe family photo opportunity, a fun fair, food stalls and much more
• Enjoy performances from local choirs, musicians and community groups
• The event is free to attend

Key messages about Johnstone Christmas lights switch-on

• Johnstone Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 28 November from 1pm to 6pm in Houstoun Square, Johnstone
• The lights will switch on at 5pm with confetti canons
• Expect live entertainment, Santa's grotto, stilt-walking candy canes and much more
• There will also be a Christmas market run by St Vincent's Hospice
• The event is free to attend

Share your festive activities

Are you planning something special for the festive season?

Whether you are decorating your shop window, creating themed food and drink, running an event, extending your opening hours or hosting family activities, we would love to hear about it.

Please fill in this form to register your event.

Tag us on social media

Show people how you are taking part in the festival.

When you post about your festive activities, tag us on Instagram @DiscoverRenfrewshire so we can see what you are doing and share selected content with our audiences.

Let’s collab!

Want to collaborate with us on the Discover Renfrewshire Instagram? If you’re sharing content featuring the festival, add @DiscoverRenfrewshire as a collaborator and tag us in your post. We’d love to help share your content.

Download promotional assets

We have created posters for each event to help you promote them. 

Posters

Download and display the poster in your venue, workplace or community space. Downloadable artwork below.

Flyers

Download and print the flyers to distribute in your venue, workplace or community space. Downloadable artwork below

Background information

The Scottish Government are transitioning to 'a net-zero emissions Scotland for the benefit of our environment, our people, and our prosperity.'

The world-leading climate change legislation in Scotland sets a target date for 2030 for a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and net-zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045 - with the aim of ending our contribution to climate change, definitively, within one generation.

In June 2019, there was cross-party support for a council motion which declared a climate emergency in Renfrewshire and a working group was set up with members of all political parties to make recommendations on how to make Renfrewshire net zero by 2030. - now formalised in our Planning and Climate Change Policy Board.

Planning and Climate Change Policy Board

Decisions around climate change are taken at the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, with meetings take place every 2 to 3 months.

Previously, a Climate Change Sub-Committee was in place made up of cross-party elected members who worked closely with officers to steer the direction of our response to the climate emergency.

The Edinburgh Declaration

The Edinburgh Biodiversity Declaration is an international agreement to ensure action is taken at all levels to protect biodiversity and has been led and supported by the Scottish Government.

We have signed up to the declaration in Renfrewshire and recognise our duty to protect and enhance biodiversity.

Read more about the Edinburgh Declaration (Scottish Government).

Renfrewshire's plan for net zero

Our Plan for Net Zero sets out the strategic framework required to work towards our ambitious climate change targets in Renfrewshire.

It outlines the reasoning, research, themes, actions and next steps required as we work towards becoming net zero by 2030.

As a Council, we are taking a leadership approach, working across our Council services, and with our local businesses, stakeholders and the local community, to make the radical, but essential, changes needed.

Read more about our Plan for Net Zero.

Renfrewshire Climate Panel

We want to engage with the local community on green issues and use the knowledge and enthusiasm of local people to shape our response to the climate emergency.

We have recruited a cross-section of the local community to form the Renfrewshire Climate Panel and they help us make decisions, ensure that our strategy is the right one for Renfrewshire, and are the driving force locally of our climate change ambitions.

Recruitment took place via a Climate Change Survey issued to residents in August 2021 and the first meeting took place in November 2021. The group has continued to meet regularly to receive updates on the ongoing work and to help shape future decision-making.

Biodiversity

We are creating wildlife-friendly environments as part of the Council's ambitious commitment for Renfrewshire to work towards net zero by 2030.

The first eight areas to be transformed, as agreed by the Infrastructure, Land, Environment and Policy Board were in Linwood, Erskine, Johnstone, Inchinnan, Lochwinnoch and Paisley and the projects included roadside wildflower corridors, wildflower areas and new native tree planting.

Take a look at our current biodiversity projects in Renfrewshire.

We will continue to engage with communities on further biodiversity areas throughout Renfrewshire.

Support the Ren Zero campaign

To reach the area's ambitious goal of becoming net zero by 2030, we will need to take a collaborative approach with communities, businesses, partners and organisations all working with us to make the radical, but essential, changes required.

So, please show your support for the campaign by using our brand toolkit.

Contact us if you want logos, an event poster advertising, a supporter poster, a PowerPoint presentation template, and more.

We're always looking for more community members, businesses, groups and organisations to be champions for the campaign and share best practice so please get in touch and be part of Ren Zero.

COP26

COP26 was the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) and was held in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021.

The summit brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The Paris Agreement of 2015, which 196 countries signed, committed to holding the increase in the earth's temperature to well below 2 degrees and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees.  It was hailed as equitable and ambitious, with each country doing its share to meet the 2 degrees goal

The COP26 Glasgow Climate Pact

Climate justice is critical: Those who have contributed least to climate change are being impacted most.  COP26 agreed increased support for developing countries to help investment in green technology and also for adaptation to the impacts of climate change. The Scottish Government was described as breaking 'the taboo' around direct financing for less developed countries facing climate consequences they did little to cause, becoming the first country pledging funding for loss and damage.

Acceleration of target dates: There was agreement for all countries to revisit and strengthen their current emissions targets for 2030 by the end of 2022 in order to limit dangerous warming; and a pledge to halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030

Annual reporting needed: 2030 is only 8 years away, so annual reporting was agreed for more accountability and to monitor progress closely to keep agreements on track

And a huge shift: The Glasgow Agreement from COP26 is the first time fossil fuels have been explicitly mentioned in a UN climate agreement.  The Paris Agreement didn't specifically mention oil, coal, gas or fossil fuels. The Glasgow Agreement signals shifting away from fossil fuels, with phase down of coal and phase out of fossil fuel subsidies.

In addition, 5 key goals on clean energy have been dubbed the 'Glasgow breakthroughs' and cover more than 50% of global emissions.

These are:

• making clean power the most affordable and reliable option
• zero emission vehicles to be accessible and affordable in all regions
• near zero emission steel production
• affordable renewable and low carbon hydrogen to be globally available
• climate resilient, sustainable agriculture to be the most attractive and widely adopted option for farmers everywhere.

We worked closely with our colleagues at Glasgow City Council and in the Glasgow City Region to support the summit and will continue to ensure Renfrewshire is represented wherever possible to ensure that we can feel the benefits of having had an international event so close to home.

Read about what was agreed at COP26.

Read about the background to Net Zero, Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, the Edinburgh Declaration, our plan for net zero, and the Renfrewshire Climate Panel.

Who will get replacements

We’ll survey every council home. If your kitchen, bathroom, wiring, heating or boiler is worn out, we’ll replace it. Not all homes will get upgrades.

Home survey

We’ll survey your home with the contractors we’re working with. 

We’ll go through any proposed works with you in more detail during the survey. You can ask us any questions or tell us anything we need to know, like any relevant medical conditions, or times and dates when you won’t be at home. 

Once we have surveyed your home and decided it needs replacements:

• we’ll write to you with a date for when the contractor will start work in your home
• you’ll get at least 7 days’ notice of the date the works will begin.

You must confirm if this date is suitable or tell us of any times where you will not be available because of holidays, appointments, or other reasons, and ask for another date and time. 
 

What replacements you’ll get

Kitchen replacements

Kitchen replacements will include:

• a stainless-steel sink and taps set into the countertop, new kitchen units, and worktops
• installation of a splashback above worktops and a stainless-steel splashback at your cooker space – a splashback is a layer attached to the wall to protect your kitchen walls from spills, stains or marks
• installation of (non-slip) vinyl flooring
• electrical rewiring, and repositioning of sockets if necessary.

This means there may be some changes to the layout of your kitchen.

If your kitchen is being replaced, the kitchen supplier will also visit your home   to discuss the plan with you.

You’ll get a choice of two different colour schemes for kitchen drawer fronts, doors, worktops, and flooring. The splashback will match your worktop. 

Depending on the layout of your new kitchen, we may need to reposition radiators and switch off your central heating during this time.

Bathroom replacements

Bathroom replacements will include:

• a new bath or shower with waterproof wall panels
• a new electrical shower unit
• a new handwash basin and associated pedestal
• a new toilet and attached cistern
• installation of non-slip vinyl flooring.

Where a specific need is identified, or where the size of the bathroom does not allow for a full-size bath, we may need to install a shower cubicle instead. 

Electrical rewiring

The rewiring of your home will include:

• all new switches, sockets, light fittings, and back boxes (containers behind switches and sockets that hold wires)
• running new electrical cables throughout your home
• replacement of the fuse box (the box that controls electricity in your home), also called a consumer unit.

We’ll need access to all the rooms in your home, including under the floorboards. We recommend you’re not at home during the day while this work is being done.

If you have your own light fixtures and fittings   installed on the walls or ceilings, we’ll need to remove these and replace them with standard light fittings. We cannot put them back. 

If you want to keep your own your existing light fittings or fixtures, let the contractor know in advance and they will leave them aside for you. Otherwise, they will dispose of them. 

Full central heating and boiler replacements

A full central heating system replacement will include:

• installation of a new energy-efficient combination boiler
• all new radiators and pipework
• a new thermostat.

We’ll need access to all the rooms in your home, including under the floorboards. We recommend you’re not at home during the day while the work is being done.

It may also be necessary to change the locations of your radiators to maximise efficiency of the system and reduce your running costs. We’ll let you know if this needs to be done when we survey your home. 

If you’re only getting a new boiler, this should be a straightforward process with minimal disruption. However, we’ll deal with any issues if they occur when the new boiler is being installed. 

Costs

There are no costs for council tenants to have kitchen, bathroom, wiring, heating, or boiler replacements. If your decoration, such as painting or wallpaper, is damaged during the work we’ll make a payment to help with redecorating costs.

Before the works begin

You must allow the contractors access to your property to carry out the works. Tell us about any times or reasons we cannot access your home, such as holidays or hospital appointments. 

Make sure everyone in your home, including any visitors, knows the works are going on, and advise them to be careful.

Let us know when we survey your home if there are any elderly, infirm, or disabled persons who need special assistance or care elsewhere while the work is being done.

Before the contractor arrives, you must:

• remove all bathroom accessories such as mirrors, pictures, toilet roll holders, soap  dispensers, soap dishes, or toothbrush holders
• move any small, portable kitchen appliances such as your kettle, toaster, microwave, bread bin, food storage containers, utensil holders or other items
• empty out any storage or furniture, like cupboards or cabinets, which we’ll need to move or get access to, and move small items and ornaments to a safe location.

Contact your liaison officer if you need help moving items or packing. Do not lift or move anything that would cause you an injury.

Contents insurance

The contractor carries all required insurance. However, we recommend you have your own contents insurance to represent you in any claim or dispute. We advise you to take all reasonable measures to protect your belongings from accidental damage.

If you’re a council tenant, you can join the AVIVA contents insurance scheme or make your own arrangements for home contents insurance.

What happens during the works

Access to your home

The contractor will arrive each day between 8am and 9am so all places we need access to must be clear. 

You must allow the contractors access to your property to carry out the installations. If they cannot access your property at the agreed time, or there is no one at home, we’ll have to reschedule the works in your home. You may have to wait until we finish works in other homes before we can do yours.  

All contractors and council employees carry identification (ID), and they must show this to you before they enter your home.  

They can only work in your home between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, unless they have permission from you and the council to work outside of these hours.

During the work

The contractors will work through the day, and there may be times when you will not have access to cooking, heating, water, or toilet facilities. 

They may need to lift floor coverings and remove and replace heavy furniture to allow the works to be carried out.

They will 

• make sure any lifted floorboards are not left up overnight
• display all required warning signs
• screw down all lifted floorboards on completion of the works.

However, you take responsibility for carpets, laminated flooring or vinyl that is glued or nailed down and cannot be lifted by the contractor without damaging it. If you ask the contractor to lift it, the Council does not take responsibility for any damage caused to it.

They will protect your home as much as possible during the work with clean dust sheets and will clean up at the end of each working day. 

You’ll have a contact person throughout the works who you can phone, and an out-of-hours emergency contact number if needed.

Always supervise children and pets while the work is in progress.

How long it’ll take

These are the timescales for how long each installation will take:

• 7 working days for full kitchen, bathroom, and rewiring
• 5 working days for kitchen and rewiring
• 5 working days for bathroom and rewiring
• 2 working days for a new full heating system
• 1 working day for a boiler-only replacement.

A working day is Monday to Friday and does not include public holidays.

These timescales are for guidance only and while we aim to finish within the planned timescales, it may take longer if we identify unforeseen works. 

The contractor will make sure you are kept up to date on this at the end of each working day.

After the work is done

When the work has been finished, we’ll will inspect it to make sure they are completed to our satisfaction. 

We’ll also complete a customer satisfaction survey with you. You can provide us with feedback on your experience of the process and the quality of the completed work.

Once we’re satisfied the works are complete and all snagging (renovations with small faults or unfinished jobs, like chipped paint) has  been addressed, a Liaison Officer will visit to see if there’s been any damage caused to the décor of your home.

If there is, they’ll advise how much you will receive towards redecorating costs   and will pay it directly into your back account. This can take between 5 and 10 working days from when they process it.

We’re replacing kitchens, bathrooms, boilers, central heating systems, and electrical wiring in council homes where the current facilities are reaching the end of their life span.

We’re upgrading council homes to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS), which ensures homes are energy efficient, safe, and in good condition.

We know that making these improvements to your home will be disruptive, but we’ll make sure support is available where it’s needed during the works.