Proposals for a new £14.5m Johnstone Town Hall is set to take a step forward as work begins on the site.

Refrewshire Council has been working in conjunction with Hub West Scotland, a public private partnership engaged in the design and construction of community facilities to deliver the new build.

Preparatory works in the run up to the demolition of the existing buildings are now scheduled to start soon. Hub West Scotland will be working with BAM Construction Ltd on the demolition works.

The new town hall will offer a range of community facilities, including Johnstone library, which was temporarily relocated earlier this year. A theatre space, marriage suite and café will be included, with the building also providing a number of council services including housing, social work and Advice Works.

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Community partners Strathclyde Police and Macmillan Cancer Support will also be based in the building.

Councillor Jim Harte, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Sport, Leisure and Culture Policy Board, said: "The works will now see us make a start on the demolition of the existing town hall and library later in the spring.

"The residents, businesses and community groups of Johnstone played a significant role in developing plans for the new town hall and I’m very pleased they will soon be seeing the building take shape.

"We will continue to update local residents and businesses as the building work progresses."

Construction of the new town hall is anticipated to begin in the autumn with work expected to be completed in Spring 2015.

(JP/CD)