Paisley Heritage Centre to re-open on appointments only basis

Paisley's Heritage Centre (https://www.renfrewshireleisure.com/heritage-centre/) is to re-open next week, with visits by appointment only:

I am delighted to share with you the news that Renfrewshire’s Heritage Centre in Paisley will reopen from Thursday, September 17th.

We are pleased to be able to announce this latest step in Renfrewshire Leisure’s journey out of lockdown as the charity plays its part in the region’s wider recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

All visits will be by appointment only. Bookings can be arranged from today (September 10th). Details of how to do so are below.

Great work has taken place by the Centre’s vastly experienced team digitally and over the phone since March, but we know you are keen to return to seeing some items from our collection physically to carry out your research.

As you would expect, we have had to put a number of measures in place to ensure the operation of the Centre - temporarily housed at the Abbey Mill Business Centre on Seedhill Road as the transformation of Paisley Museum takes place - to safeguard our staff and visitors, which is our absolute priority.

Full details on the operation of the Centre can be found at www.renfrewshireleisure.com/coronavirus. But, for your immediate information, mitigation measures include:

• An appointment-only entrance system. Bookings, which are in two-hour slots, the first starting at 10am and the last finishing at 4pm, must be arranged by emailing heritage@renfrewshire.gov.uk or by calling 0141 618 5375. Entry will not be granted without proof of prior booking.
• The discussion of research requirements ahead of arrival to ensure we have everything in place for you when you arrive and to maximise your research time on site.
• Specific table use. Tables will be two metres apart. Resources required will be placed on these tables prior to arrival.
• Mandatory use of face coverings, as outlined by the Scottish Government.
• Hand hygiene measures to protect both staff and visitors, as well as the items in the collection.
• The quarantining of resources for 72 hours after each use for your safety.
• Taking your contact details to comply with the Government’s Test and Protect procedures.

Arrangements may, of course, have to be adapted at any time to comply with any change in guidance from the Scottish Government.

My colleagues and I are looking forward to welcoming you back to the Centre in the safest way we can and thank you in advance for your cooperation in adhering to the guidelines we have put in place in the interests of everyone.

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Heritage Team at the address above.

Kind regards,

Christine McLean
Heritage Manager

(With thanks to Jack Davis)

Chris

My next 5 week Scottish Research Online course starts August 31st - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. My book Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scottish2 is now out, also available are Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Irish1 and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records at http://bit.ly/ChrisPaton-Scotland1. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.