January 27 2021

Renfrewshire Council is inviting the public to have their say on proposals for an expanded outdoor events venue and public space in Paisley.

A general upgrade to Abbey Close by Ironside Farrar will improve the setting of Paisley Abbey and the Town Hall; including an enlarged paved area and greater capacity for stalls and events.

Planned works include a general upgrade of paving and lighting and the removal of some boundary walls to open up the environment and introduce new seating. This will necessitate the relocation of two statues, Alexander Wilson and Robert Tannahill, a short distance from their current positions.

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “The last year has shown us that high-quality outdoor space will only be more important in future.

“While the major events were postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, visitors to them and our reopened town hall will play a part in the area’s economic recovery in the years ahead.

“When we last asked the public’s views on Abbey Close in 2019 they told us they valued its architecture and scenery but felt it could be improved – the designs are based on that feedback."

The improvements are scheduled to be in place in time for the town hall reopening in 2022. 

3 Comments

#1 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 27 Jan 2021 at 16:22 PM

It’s a pity the Council has not included an upgrade of the park to the southwest of the TH. there used to be Abbey Close Church there but it was demolished in the 1970s ? To open up the view of the west front of the Abbey from Dunn’s Square. While respecting that it would also encourage possible to create an amphitheatre in part of the Park to use the West front of the Abbey as a backdrop for outdoor theatre and events

#2 Posted by Mary Hill on 27 Jan 2021 at 18:13 PM

Well that looks bleak

#3 Posted by MV on 28 Jan 2021 at 09:35 AM

#2 how can you say this looks bleak? Typical UR comments trash talk. I think the expanse of violet paving will be mind blowing and the yellow grass will make the locals feel like they are in a sun drenched and sun scorched paradise. Well done Paisley.

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