Tannahill Centre to get Major Revamp

Space Solutions Blog

A Paisley centre is set to be transformed to a state-of-the-art community hub with the help of Scotland’s leading workplace design experts Space Solutions.

The Tannahill Centre, in the town’s Ferguslie area, is undergoing a £2m refurbishment, subject to Lottery funding approval, to reinvigorate the centre for the community.

Space Solutions has been appointed as architectural design and lead consultants on the project, which should hopefully go on site in March 2009 and take around nine months to complete.

Robert Craig, Chief Executive of Ferguslie Park Housing Association that operates Tannahill Centre, said: “We wanted to reinvigorate the centre for the community, to give them somewhere that was a real hub of activity.

“At the moment the place looks like it could do with a revamp and the services on offer are not being utilised to their full potential. We are confident that by using the space we have more efficiently we will be able to attract more of the community to use the space more often.”

The Tannahill Centre is meeting with the Lottery Funding Board in January, with the vision provided by Space Solutions.

Space Solutions, with five UK offices, and a turnover of £12m, has designed plans to install a fitness suite in the centre with gym equipment and space for fitness classes.

The current café at the centre provides basic food and drink but management are keen to make it a healthy eating café where people will feel comfortable dropping in with friends for a drink, or to come for a proper meal.

Andy Geddes, Senior Designer on the project, said: “This is a very exciting project to be involved in as it really involves changing something that is so important to the surrounding community.

“The Tannahill Centre is already in a very nice building and the staff there are great and do the very best with what they have. But we are working hard to give them something that more effectively utilises their space and can help the centre realise its full potential.

“By creating a more open plan, accessible and bright environment we are aiming to humanise the space.”

Space Solutions, which meticulously applies the science of space planning and workplace analysis to achieve most productive use of property, went through an exhaustive tender process for the project.

Robert added: “We were very impressed with some of Space Solutions’ previous work. It has the knowledge and expertise to make the very best of what space is available. We are looking forward to watching its plans develop.”

It is also developing the small business incubator units in the centre, installing lifts for wheelchair access and moving the centre’s management so that they are within the hub of the centre’s activities.