A little over a year ago, PACE unveiled plans to transform a vacant town centre building into an exciting new community performance space for Paisley. Now the organisation is inviting supporters to add their names to the very fabric of buildling, with it’s Million Pound Wall campaign.

Patron James McArdle with PACE Youth Theatre Members in Exchange. Photo by James Chapelard

Supporters are invited to be a part of the creation of Exchange by securing a block on our supporter’s wall for themselves, a loved one or a business. The supporter’s wall will form a prominent part of the building, once complete, and until then will be created digitally.

You can secure your block immediately online in return for donations starting from just £50,. There are a range of other options including opportunities for blocks with space for a business logo or a link to your website.

Exchange will be a new community theatre space dedicated to producing, receiving and promoting access to theatre productions for young people and families, as well as involving young people aged 0-25 in performance and creative learning activities in a professional environment.

PACE Youth Theatre Members in Exchange. Photo by James Chapelard

The venue will consist of a mid-scale theatre, a flexible studio theatre / creative learning space and a community creative play and workshop space. Those spaces will be complemented by a family friendly café/bar facility with informal performance area and exhibition space. The space will be fully accessible, environmentally sustainable, autism friendly, and co-designed and developed at every stage with a group of ‘young creators’.

The pandemic has had a huge impact on progress but despite that, work on the building commenced in November 2020. Phase 1 is almost complete thanks to support from initial funders, including Renfrewshire Council but donations to the Million Pound Wall will ensure the completion of the next phase and allow the building to open.

Jenni Mason, Artistic Director of PACE, said:

“We believe this project could be really transformative for young people and for the cultural regeneration of Paisley and Renfrewshire, as well as being a theatre of national significance. It’s a truly magical space with endless possibilities of improving and enriching young lives through the arts. 

“Creative spaces will help us rebuild and recover and these spaces will take on even more significance in the years ahead, but we need the support of individuals and businesses – either directly or by helping us to spread the word – to help us get there.”

More information about the plans for Exchange and ways to help can be found at www.pacetheatre.com/exchange. Find @exchangepaisley on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Tiktok.