Following a competitive tendering process, The Hub will work with the Paisley Museum Reimagined team from now until the end of November 2023. Beginning with the pre-construction phase which involves designing and creating samples and mock-ups of the showcases and displays, before moving onsite in March 2023 when the installation of the exhibitions and displays is due to begin.

First established in 2005, The Hub provides design and construction of temporary and permanent exhibitions and displays. Recent projects include The Box in Plymouth, the redesign of the exhibition hall at the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo, the fit-out of the new Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Denmark and the Arabic Islamic Science Museum in Kuwait.

The Hub will work alongside the Museum team and various subcontractors to deliver this contract including partners from local areas. The Hub is keen to involve the local community through an extensive social value package.

Kirsty Devine, project director, Paisley Museum Reimagined, said: “We are delighted that The Hub has been appointed to lead the exhibition fit-out of the Museum. The contract represents a critical milestone in the delivery phase of the project, and we are excited to see the displays being built and installed after all the research and development work over the past five years. The Hub brings with them a wealth of experience and we are looking forward to working with them in the coming months.”

Richard Coughlin, managing director, The Hub said: “Being appointed as the exhibition fit-out contractor for the Paisley Museum Reimagined project is a momentous occasion for The Hub. As a market leader for specialist fit-out across the UK and internationally with a portfolio of award-winning museums including, The Box, Plymouth, being able to create a world-class attraction within the UK fills our team with immense pride.

“Over the next 18-months, we will work collaboratively with the Paisley Museum Reimagined Team to bring Opera Amsterdam’s designs to life. Throughout the museum’s delivery, we will work with local communities, businesses, institutions, and suppliers, to provide extensive opportunities, allowing them to play a part in the development of a figurehead for cultural institutions.

“As the project progresses, we look forward to sharing more of our exciting journey assembling this remarkable museum!”

Cllr Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of OneRen, added: “The work to transform Paisley Museum into a world-class destination is the flagship project in a much wider push to transform the town’s future by promoting its internationally significant cultural and heritage assets.

“Our project team have done fantastic work over the past few years to research and develop the stories of a town whose influence stretches around the globe - and we are delighted the team at The Hub are now on board to help them bring those stories to life like never before.

“When the museum reopens it will showcase the town’s incredible collections and help drive new footfall and visitors to the heart of the town while helping bring the local community together in a place to learn, connect and be inspired.”

Paisley Museum Reimagined is supported by Renfrewshire Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, and the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.

The £42m redevelopment of the museum is part of a radical regeneration plan for Paisley being led by the council, which also includes a transformation of the town’s A-listed town hall into a landmark entertainment venue, and a new home for library services in a vacant former High Street retail unit.

The redesign of the museum campus is being led by an international team including architects AL_A and exhibition designers Opera Amsterdam and will allow the number of objects on display to be increased by 100%.

When Paisley Museum reopens, it is expected to attract 125,000 visits each year and provide a £79m economic boost to the area over the next 30 years.