The next stage of a landmark development on Paisley’s iconic Arnotts site has been hailed as ‘the latest leap forward’ in the ongoing transformation of the town centre

Work is now under way to turn the distinctive listed frontage of the former store on Gauze Street into 11 luxury apartments, with retail units on the ground floor.

This marks phase two of a two-part plan – spearheaded by Renfrewshire Council – to bring the historic site back into use.

Phase one takes in the 31 flats currently being built by Link Group on Lawn Street and Gauze Street for shared equity or rent, due for completion in the spring.

The Arnotts site is owned and marketed by a limited liability partnership made up of Renfrewshire Council and Park Lane Developments.

And Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan believes the start of work elsewhere on the site is the latest positive piece in the town centre jigsaw.

Councillor Macmillan said: “The Arnotts site represents one of the most visible options for regeneration in Paisley town centre.

“Over the years a lot of work has gone into various attempts to kickstart development and we are delighted that – at last – people can now see real progress.

“This new phase of development is just the latest leap forward for the town centre, coming off the back of several other major regeneration projects.

“It fits perfectly with our plans to use Paisley’s outstanding built and cultural heritage as the engine behind a transformation of the town over the next decade, including a bid for UK City of Culture status in 2021.

“Elsewhere in the town, we are pushing forward with plans to bring the Russell Institute back into use as offices, bringing 80 new jobs into the town from 2016.

“And the area around Arnotts has been transformed in recent years by Westpoint Homes’ Abbey Place development just across the road, with almost all of the flats in there now snapped up, bringing new residents into the town centre.”

Sean Robinson, joint managing director of Park Lane, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Renfrewshire Council in this exciting regeneration project.

“The apartments and ground floor commercial space will be coming to the market in spring this year and there is already very strong interest in the 11 apartments and available commercial units.”

For more information about phase two of the development, or to register your interest in buying one of the apartments, please call Park Lane on 0141 331 2253.

For more information about the Gauze Street/Lawn Street flats in phase one, you can call Link Group on 03451 400100.

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Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X