Funding boost confirmed for PACE new theatre
The ongoing project to build a new community theatre space in Paisley town centre has taken a huge step forward after an £800,000 funding boost was confirmed!
Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 21 December 2021 9:40
PACE Theatre Company are currently developing a new theatre in Paisley for children, young people and families – called Exchange – in a long-time vacant former nightclub opposite Paisley Gilmour Street Station.
And the project has now received the sum from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grand Fund (RCGF), after a successful bid from Renfrewshire Council on PACE’s behalf.
The £2.6m project – which will include a 300-seat main theatre plus other community and creative spaces - received planning permission in February 2020, and work has been under way since November of that year.
When open in March 2023, it will host near-200 PACE performances each year, plus professional touring shows, and creative learning opportunities, as well as offering an alternative venue to Renfrewshire’s thriving cultural community.
This round of the Scottish Government’s Capital Grant Regeneration Fund will see more than £25 million of funding shared between 22 locally-developed projects across Scotland that tackle inequalities and promote sustainable and inclusive economic recovery from the pandemic.
PACE chief executive Grant Mason said: “We are extremely grateful to the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund for their investment in this project, which we believe will be transformative for young people, the local community, and for the regeneration of Paisley.
“The award will allow major works to begin early next year and takes us significantly closer to the completion of Exchange.
“The support of Renfrewshire Council throughout this process has been invaluable, with their vision for Exchange's potential to create a vibrant cultural landmark and community hub for Paisley mirroring our own.”
Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson added: “Our officers have been working with PACE since 2019 to assist with their funding applications, and we are thrilled for them the Scottish Government have recognised the quality of the project by making this significant award.
“PACE have been at the heart of the area’s creative community for decades, and when it opens Exchange will allow them to harness the power of culture to change the lives of future generations of Renfrewshire’s young people.
“This development complements our wider vision to bring new life to the town centre by finding new cultural uses for vacant buildings, as well as our £100m investment in our own heritage venues and outdoor spaces, including the ongoing transformations of the museum and town hall.
“The news also arrives as we prepare to open our Future Paisley exhibition in the new year, which will tell the story of how Paisley’s approach to culture-led regeneration can make it a leader for towns everywhere.”
PACE had already received £420,000 from Renfrewshire’s share of the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund to fund initial work to the building, and to produce developed designs to allow their application to the RCGF to be made.
The project is bringing back into use a long-time vacant historic building in a prime location, which will allow it to come off the Buildings at Risk register.
As well as the main theatre, Exchange will also host a small-scale 80-100-seat flexible studio theatre and creative learning space, plus a community creative play and workshop space.
There will also be a family-friendly café/bar with informal performance area, dressing rooms, reading snug, and exhibition space for young visual artists.
The space will be fully-accessible, autism-friendly, and co-designed and developed at every stage with a group of ‘young architects’.
Sustainability is a key priority for the project, designed with the aim of creating a green, carbon neutral, theatre for the future that's financially and environmentally sustainable with 100% LED theatre fixtures.
It is expected Phase II will be complete by December 2022, but PACE are calling on businesses and individuals to support the project by donating to their Million Pound Wall campaign, to reach the fundraising total required to complete the third and final phase of work.
Sponsored Links
Latest Renfrewshire News
Paisley Halloween festival shows visitors a wicked good time!
Paisley Halloween Festival is back at its spooky best as thousands of visitors attended the first night of the festival.
READ MORE
Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.
READ MORE
The Beat the Street Renfrewshire winners are announced
The winners of the latest Beat the Street challenge in Renfrewshire have now been announced!
READ MORE
Paisley crowned as Town Of The Year
Judges in the Scotland Loves Local Awards awarded the title after being impressed by the critical point reached in the town's 'resurgence' amid unprecedented investment in its future.
READ MORE
Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk
The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk.
READ MORE
Braehead just got cooler as Snowflake Gelato debuts in Scotland
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, is delighted to announce the arrival of Snowflake Gelato.
READ MORE
Community curated film festival brings world class cinema to Greenock this Galoshans Festival
Free and low-cost screenings showcase Horror, Heritage, and Homegrown Talent selected by local curators and young people.
READ MORE
Aldi to open a pop up pumpkin patch in Renfrew this Halloween for one day only
Families are in for a spook-tacular surprise this Halloween, as Aldi is transforming part of its Renfrew store into a pop-up Pumpkin Patch on Saturday 25th October.
READ MORE
Halloween takes over town this weekend
Paisley Halloween Festival will return this weekend with a packed programme to fright and delight visitors!
READ MORE
The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced
The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.
READ MORE
Horror Con Scotland takes over Paisley Town Hall this Halloween Weekend
Scotland's scariest convention is heading to Renfrewshire for a two-day Halloween spectacular!
READ MORE
Help Provost Cameron light up Renfrewshire this Christmas
Renfrewshire's Provost, Lorraine Cameron is once again inviting children of primary school age to design a Christmas card for 2025.
READ MORE
Grab some Buddie Good Deals here in Paisley town centre this October!
Grab some Buddie Good Deals in Paisley town centre from Saturday 11th October until Saturday 25th October.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted
There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!
READ MORE
Scottish Wedding Show turns up the heat as it returns to the SEC
Scotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this weekend, ready to welcome thousands of couples from across the country looking to plan their dream day!
READ MORE
Keela and Mountaineering Scotland launch new campaign
Keela, the Scottish outdoor clothing brand, and Mountaineering Scotland Launch ‘Within You’, an new three-month campaign, inspiring Confidence, Connection, and Adventure in the Outdoors!
READ MORE
Book Week Scotland 2025 programme announced
Scotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland, returns from 17th to 23rd November and tickets are on sale now!
READ MORE
Dobbies donates Christmas trees to local communities
Dobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation across the country, in partnership with Needlefresh.
READ MORE
Football legends lace up for 150 mile charity walk inspired by Marcus Stewart, Stephen Darby and the late Doddie Weir
Former Celtic and Scotland football heroes to join ex-player with MND on 150-mile March of The Day to raise funds to help tackle the disease.
READ MORE
First winners announced for GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards
Amy MacDonald, Hue and Cry, Nathan Evans and The Saint PHNX Band, Skipinnish, Shay O'Dowd and James Emmanuel are among the first winners to be announced for the GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards!
READ MORE
Step into stories of Scotland this October with Living History
Scotland’s colourful past bursts to life this October as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) returns with its popular Living History programme for the school holidays.
READ MORE
Renfrewshire remembers mine workers with new memorial cairn
A memorial cairn and plaque has been unveiled in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park to remember the men who lost their lives working in the Muirshiel Barytes Mine between 1942 and 1969.
READ MORE
Renfrewshire set for spectacular season of festive events
Renfrewshire is gearing up for another bumper season of fantastic festive events with an array of free, fun-filled activities for all!
READ MORE
Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week launches to inspire the nation with Find Your Fit campaign
The Scottish Government's Women and Girls in Sport Week launches this week, celebrating the power of movement and encouraging women and girls of all ages to get active in ways that work for them.
READ MORE
Unlimited adventures for less than a tank of petrol
With the October school holidays fast approaching, ScotRail has unveiled a new, affordable way for families to make the most of the break!
READ MORE
Seachdain na Gaidhlig (World Gaelic Week) 2026 launches with rallying call to use it, or lose it
Seachdain na Gàidhlig will return in 2026, under the banner Use It or Lose It – and organisers are encouraging people across Scotland and the global diaspora to get behind the rallying cry.
READ MORE
Brits brewing up a storm: Macdonald Hotels reports coffee surge
Brits are now picking up the cafetière, with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts revealing a 10% rise in coffee sales across its 32 UK hotels and resorts in the past year.
READ MORE
Winter Connections community programme grant funding reopens
Community groups and voluntary organisations are being encouraged to apply for grant funding from Renfrewshire Council to enable them to put on activities for local people between October and March.
READ MORE
Spooky season brings horror icons and vampire romance back to the big screen at Vue
Some of the latest horror blockbusters – alongside creepy classics, enchanting family favourites and the ever-popular Twilight Saga – will all be heading to Vue venues this Halloween.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links