Work starts to bring landmark Paisley High Street building back into use

A landmark historic building on Paisley High Street is being restored and brought back into use, thanks to a council programme to preserve the town centre's unique historic architecture.

Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 6 February 2023 14:15

The Liberal Club, sitting in a prominent spot at 32 High Street, has been a feature of life in the town since 1886 but has been vacant since 2016 and has fallen into disrepair.

Now, the council and the building’s owners are working together to restore the outside and inside of the C-listed building to its former glory, with a new use to be found for the once-grandiose entertainment venue.

The work is being assisted through the Townscape Heritage/Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme 2 (TH.CARS2), a £4.1m programme funded by the council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland, with additional funding from the Scottish Government’s Place-based Investment Programme.

TH.CARS2 is funding a full repair of the outside of the building’s upper floors, while the building’s owners are funding repairs to the inside of the building. While they have planning permission to turn the upper floors into flats, other uses are being explored.

Grant-supported works include roof work, stonework, window repairs and new downpipes, with the external work expected to be complete by August.

Work is also now getting under way to transform the frontage of two vacant shop units at 18 High Street, through a TH.CARS2 shopfront grant, with owners picking up the rest of the cost.

The building is owned by Jazz Chowdhary and Dr Jasmeet Singh of SC Investments Scotland Ltd.

Jazz said: “We are both extremely excited to restore this landmark listed building on Paisley’s High Street to its former glory and we look forward to bringing it back into use for the local community.

“Since we acquired the building, we’ve heard many positive stories from locals who used to visit the Liberal Club. We’ve become quite attached to the building and made it our goal to bring it back to life.

“We are incredibly thankful for the help of the TH.CARS2 team at Renfrewshire Council, Graham Stuart of Wellwood Leslie Architects, and the various funding bodies, who have all played a key part in helping us move towards our end goal.

“We are in discussions with potential future occupants of the building, but at this time we are not at liberty to advise on the use. What I can say for certain is that in 2023, the Liberal Club will create more happy memories for the people of Paisley.”

Cllr Andy Steel, convener of the council’s Economy and Regeneration Policy Board, said: “The Liberal Club is a beautiful building which has been a feature of local life for almost a century and a half, but sadly in recent years has been empty.

“Bringing a historic building like this back into use is extremely complex – particularly where there are multiple owners in one location – and it has taken a huge amount of work from our officers to get the project to this point.

“This is a great example of how public money can unlock private-sector investment that may not otherwise have happened – the money we have brought in through our various external funders has helped get the owners into a position where they can do the rest.

“Paisley’s historic architecture is one of the town’s greatest features and over the past few years the TH.CARS project has helped preserve large parts of it for future generations.

“That complements our wider investment in the town’s historic cultural venues, with Paisley Town Hall set to reopen later this year, Paisley Museum being transformed into a world-class visitor destination, and a new home for library services being built a few doors further down the High Street in a formerly-vacant retail unit.”

Since 2016, the TH.CARS programme has completed numerous projects to help restore historic buildings and outdoor spaces within Paisley town centre. That has included:
• Grant support for extensive building repair projects at 5 George Place. 20 New Street (Vienna’s nightclub), the upper floors of 2-3 County Place, 41 High St (Right-way credit union), 9 Gilmour Street, 10 Shuttle Street, and the Sma’ Shot Cottages
• Six projects to help owners restore historic shopfronts completed, with two more currently on site – in the vacant unit at 18 High Street and at 63a (Nomads café) – with a final two due to start this year, including one at 67 High Street (Houston’s Kiltmakers)
• Work to upgrade historic streetscapes, with improvements completed at George Place, and works currently on site at Weighhouse Close and on the stretch of the High Street opposite the museum
• An extensive programme of heritage education, training and events aimed at bringing the town’s heritage to life, covering 42 community projects, with more than 2,600 people actively engaged in more than 630 workshops

For more information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/THCARS

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Renfrewshire News

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

Autumn events at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed for cosy coastal retreats and joyful pre-festive celebrations.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Christmas Launch Weekend at Dobbies Garden Centres marks the start of the festive season

Christmas has come early as Dobbies Garden Centres kicks off the season in style at its Christmas Launch Weekend which takes place from Thursday 9th to Monday 13th October.

CCC treats audiences to a frightfully delightful family concert this Halloween

Children's Classic Concerts return with their popular Halloween concert performances in Glasgow and Edinburgh later this month!

Paisley shortlisted for Scotland Loves Local Town of the Year 2025

Paisley has been shortlisted for the prestigious Scotland Loves Local Town of the Year Award, recognising the town's ambitious regeneration and community-led transformation.

Braehead secures SuperPark, Global Leisure Brand, for its UK debut

Global indoor leisure and recreation concept SuperPark will make its UK debut at Braehead Shopping Centre, bringing experience-led leisure to the centre next year!

SAY Award Longlist announced including Jacob Alon, Kathryn Joseph, Mogwai and more

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, Scotland's national music prize, has today revealed the 20 outstanding albums on 2025's Longlist.

Beatson Cancer Charity and Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service join forces for Blood Cancer Awareness Month

For the first time, Beatson Cancer Charity has joined forces with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service to highlight the vital role blood donors play in the treatment of blood cancers.

New community space opens at the heart of Ferguslie Park

A vibrant new activity and community space has officially opened within Ferguslie Park in Renfrewshire, transforming a long-term vacant area into a welcoming hub for local people.

Nominations sought for Community Councils across Renfrewshire

Local people are being encouraged to become part of their community councils as elections take place in five towns and villages in Renfrewshire.

The Bungalow is a musical home from home for rocker Davey

Rock star vocalist Davey Pattison spent 40 years performing in arenas and stadiums all over America.

Annual recruitment event returns to Braehead Shopping Centre

On Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th September, Braehead Shopping Centre will host its 3rd annual recruitment event.

Online radio chat show going from strength to strength

When Rachael Smith started hosting her weekly chat show 'Buddie Talk' on Paisley Radio back in March this year, she never envisioned that it would take off quite as much as it has.

Award winning show Stuntman comes to Paisley Arts Centre

Award-winning Scottish company SUPERFAN will bring their high-octane smash hit Edinburgh Fringe show Stuntman to Paisley Arts Centre on Wednesday 17th September!

Popular Listings

Beacon Arts Centre Braehead Arena Johnstone Town Hall Old Swan Inn Paisley Paisley Abbey Paisley Arts Centre Paisley Town Hall Robertson Park Renfrew The Bungalow Paisley Venue Paisley

Work starts to bring landmark Paisley High Street building back into use

A landmark historic building on Paisley High Street is being restored and brought back into use, thanks to a council programme to preserve the town centre's unique historic architecture.

Sponsored Links

Latest Renfrewshire News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings