A major transformation project at Paisley Museum has been unlocked with investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The £3.83 million funding support will help turn the facility into a world-class visitor destination telling the town's unique stories, including that of the globally admired Paisley pattern.

Under the scheme, the museum's four buildings, including the country's first public observatory, will be ambitiously redesigned and extended by an award-winning international team, including the architects AL_A and exhibition designers Opera Amsterdam, to create an exciting new experience for visitors.

The new, contemporary galleries and exhibitions will double the number of objects on display and be fully accessible so that visitors can explore the town's rich heritage and its part in the story of the famous teardrop Paisley pattern textile. Inspiring learning zones, improved social spaces, a new cafe, shop and cloakroom facilities will add to the Museum's appeal, as will a new, welcoming entrance surrounded by a courtyard and gardens.

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Commenting on the announcement, Caroline Clark, Director Scotland of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "This project has been driven by the passion of the Paisley community to put their unique heritage on an international stage. With the help of National Lottery funding, new life will be breathed into these heritage buildings giving Paisley's wonderful textiles and other treasures the prominence they deserve, while also bringing a new confidence to the town."

The revamped museum is forecast to attract 125,000 visits a year, almost four times the current numbers, and create a £79m economic boost over 30 years.

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Chair of Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd, added: "We want to thank everyone connected to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for their fantastic support.

"It will help us deliver a world-class museum which will take the town's unique and fascinating stories to new audiences, showcase Paisley's internationally-significant collections, and bring new life and footfall to the wider area.

"It will create a new accessible hub at the heart of life in the town for the local community - local groups are already co-producing the incredible stories which will populate the reopened museum, and we look forward to continuing to work with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and others over the years ahead to deliver on that."

The new museum is expected to open in 2022.

(CM/JG)