Scottish contractor CBC has been appointed to take on the £4.5 million restoration of Paisley’s Russell Institute.

The A-listed former health centre has been vacant since 2011 and desperately needs refurbishment.

Renfrewshire Council took ownership of the building from the NHS in February and is now leading an ambitious project to turn it into offices.

Once work to restore it is complete, Skills Development Scotland will move in along with staff from the council’s Invest in Renfrewshire programme.

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan said: “The Russell Institute is one of the jewels in Paisley’s architectural crown and has been one of the most distinctive buildings in the town centre for the best part of a century.

“We are thrilled to have been able to pull together a deal to bring it back to life and are glad the project is moving forward as planned.

“Paisley town centre has the second-highest concentration of listed buildings of anywhere in Scotland and we are committed to keeping them alive for future generations.”

The work is being funded by the council, the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Historic Scotland.

The Paisley Development Trust (PDT) helped kick the project off by commissioning the initial feasibility study into its use.

Tony Lawler, treasurer of PDT, said: “We are really pleased to see that the Russell Institute has been saved.

“The people of Paisley spoke out and we started a process that has saved this iconic building.

“The revamp of the Russell is crucial to regeneration of our town centre and Paisley as whole.”

CBC managing director James McAlpine added: “Following on from the successful refurbishment of the town hall, we look forward to conserving another of Paisley’s iconic buildings for future generations.”