Owners of fire-hit former Paisley hospital given deadline to complete safety works

The owners of a fire-hit former hospital building in Paisley have been told to complete works to make it “safe and secure” by the end of the month.

Renfrewshire Council has outlined a series of measures that need to be undertaken at the old Royal Alexandra Infirmary (RAI) in Calside by Friday, July 31.

It comes after firefighters put out a blaze at the building on Sunday, June 28, which police have treated as deliberate and continue to investigate.

It is understood the local authority has advised fencing should be resecured and a two-tier system introduced, additional Sitex should be installed to prevent access via doors and windows, and visible metal ladders should be cut or removed to deter climbing.

A council spokesperson said: “We have contacted the owners of the Royal Alexandra Infirmary and outlined works which need to be undertaken to make the building safe and secure.

“These works must be completed by Friday, July 31.

“We have also recommended the installation of CCTV or motion sensors to secure the building.

“If the works are not carried out to a satisfactory standard, the council or Police Scotland will consider undertaking the works themselves and charging the costs back to the owners.”

The B-listed heritage treasure, which was ravaged by a fire in 2022, has been a long-running source of anguish for nearby residents after becoming a target for vandals and ghost hunters.

It appeared to have landed a major lifeline in May 2024 when the relevant permissions were granted for a multi-million-pound redevelopment of the site.

The old RAI and its grounds were earmarked for transformation into flats under the plans approved by the council.

The architects have been asked whether it is still intended for that vision to come to fruition.

Earlier this month, Councillor Eddie Devine, who represents Paisley Southeast, emphasised the need for strengthened security measures, saying: “We’re all hoping something is going to be done.

“It’s been highlighted now and some sort of action is needed, rather than people just talking about it.

“They need to make sure the site is secure but it also needs to be something substantial when it comes to strengthening the security.”

This week, the elected member, who has been inundated with messages from worried neighbours about the situation, was encouraged to hear the local authority has stepped in to instruct works and set a deadline.

Councillor Devine said: “I’m hopeful that the owner does something positive. It all depends on the owner playing their part.

“They need to step up and take control of their building and prevent anyone from getting into it.”

He then warned: “We can’t continue to lose historic buildings.”