Planned multi-million-pound investment in Paisley's Abbey Close 'largely paused' by Renfrewshire Council
dailyrecord.co.ukA planned multi-million-pound investment in Paisley’s Abbey Close has been “largely paused” so funds can be redirected to Renfrewshire Council’s major cultural projects.The local authority has agreed to reallocate £2 million within its capital plan to the coffers for the ongoing works at the town’s museum and arts centre.
It comes as a report, which was presented at last week’s full council meeting, said existing budgets for the ventures are “under considerable pressure”.The paper by Alastair MacArthur, director of finance and resources, said the refurbishment of historic buildings is “subject to a higher degree of cost volatility” because the complexity of the works is often not fully known until they are in progress.
A total of £1.3m will be redistributed to the museum and £700,000 to the arts centre.Councillor Graeme Clark, Labour economy and regeneration spokesperson, said the situation was “unfortunate” but “understandable” at Thursday’s summit.
However, the politician, who represents Paisley Northeast and Ralston, was pleased that the scheme was to be “paused” – rather than lost altogether.He said: “Abbey Close was planned as an enlarged public event space for the Paisley town centre.
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