Paisley Museum is expected to open to the public early in the new year after contractors complete the exhibition fit-out and installation by the end of 2026.
The latest timetable was presented to Renfrewshire Council’s Leadership Board on Wednesday 16 September 2026.
Exhibition fit-out was nearing completion in 60% of the museum’s galleries when the report was prepared. The upper galleries of the main building and Coats Observatory had reached sectional completion.
Approximately 80% of the objects selected for display required conservation treatment. Twenty-three separate conservation studios or individuals across the UK worked on 1,050 objects, with that programme now complete.
The redeveloped museum will have twice as many objects on display.
It will also include lift access to all areas, toilets on every level, a café with a picnic area, a Changing Places toilet, lockers, water fountains, a buggy park and a public courtyard with street-level access.
Caroline Clark, Director for Scotland at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The Paisley Museum project is a serious re-imagining of the role of the museum. It would be enough to deliver an international quality museum as a heritage destination, but this project has had the ambition to deliver much more and aim to fulfil a wider role, inherent to the vibrancy and wellbeing of Paisley.
“The design supports this approach, welcoming in the whole community whether to explore the collections or simply to enjoy the museum environment. There has been a deeply thoughtful and innovative approach to what a museum can offer the people of Paisley, and its visitors”.
The council expects to provide more information about the opening programme at the next Leadership Board meeting.