A vision has been sculpted for the renovation of Kilbarchan’s “iconic” Steeple Hall that could see it rebranded as a facility linked to Paisley Museum.
Elected members agreed a previous spending commitment of £700,000 should be “restated” and officers instructed to “bring forward an investment proposal” for the historic building in need of a new lease of life.
A consensus was reached on the issue at Thursday’s full Renfrewshire Council meeting after Labour councillors Gillian Graham and Chris Gilmour brought forward a motion recognising the nearby Weaver’s Cottage 300th anniversary.
Independent councillor Andy Doig and SNP councillor Emma Rodden suggested an amendment noting the significance of the two A-listed buildings as part of Kilbarchan’s cultural contribution in wider Renfrewshire.
Councillor Doig said: “This seemed like an opportunity to look at a new relationship between the Weaver’s Cottage and Steeple Hall to refurbish the latter and then consult the wider community in the village about a shared vision of a Kilbarchan cultural quarter with the Steeple as an outreach museum for Paisley.
“The Renfrewshire Council tourism action plan explicitly seeks to build on the massive investment in Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Museum by reaching out to rural Renfrewshire to showcase the great visitor assets that we have.
“A vision for the Steeple Hall in alliance with the Weaver’s Cottage would be a formidable hub around which to promote tourism.”
It was agreed consultation should take place with OneRen, National Trust for Scotland, Kilbarchan Community Council, Kilbarchan General Society and the village’s wider community about the transformation of the Steeple Hall into an “outreach museum”.
Within that, the viability of the long-term creation of a Kilbarchan “cultural quarter” would be examined.
This would encompass the Steeple Hall, Weaver’s Cottage and Kilbarchan Cross – all within its conservation area.
It is also hoped that a bid for funding can be made to the Historic Environment grants programme to promote the vision and secure further investment in the Steeple Hall.
Councillor Rodden added: “Since I was first elected in 2017, I have worked tirelessly with council officers, Kilbarchan Community Council and other local elected members in efforts to find funding for improvements to the Steeple Hall.
“This iconic building is not only dear to the hearts of every past and present residents of Kilbarchan but also an important historic structure that we cannot allow to decline further.”
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