Mod venue set for £1.6m refurbishment

Paisley Town Hall, which was completed in 1882, is due to host the Royal National Mod next year

A Renfrewshire landmark is to undergo a £1.6m refurbishment ahead of next year's Royal National Mod.

Central Building Contractors (Glasgow) Ltd has won a contract to undertake major repairs to Paisley Town Hall's stonework and create new interior space from its existing cloisters.

It will also be made more accessible for people with disabilities.

The work will be completed in time for the building to play host to the Mod in October 2013.

The contract, which was awarded by Renfrewshire Council, will lead to several new jobs and work placements for 16 to 19-year-olds.

Two existing apprenticeships will be continued.

The refurbishment work will also provide support for a programme which aims to help young people develop life skills through a variety of training and workshops.

'Amazing legacy'

Renfrewshire councillor Iain McMillan said: "The Victorians gifted us an amazing architectural legacy.

"This refurbishment programme gives us an opportunity to create jobs and training places while also making one of our top entertainment venues much more accessible for people with disabilities.

"It's important to use investment in our architectural heritage to take forward economic regeneration and this programme achieves that aim."

Paisley Town Hall was completed in 1882.

The cash for the building originally came from George Clark, a member of the famous thread manufacturing family.

In 1873 he left £20,000 in his will to pay for the building.