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COUNCILLOR ANDY DOIG ATTENDED SITE VISIT WITH INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS AN "EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND" IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS. JACK THOMSON 12:21, 29 May 2025Updated 12:21, 29 May 2025 A
"mystery entrepreneur" is said to be interested in progressing the vision of a bistro within part of the iconic Steeple Hall in Kilbarchan. Councillor Andy Doig, an independent
representative for the village, took part in a site visit with the individual who has an "extensive background" in the restaurant business. It comes after a comprehensive programme
of repairs for the A-listed building in Steeple Square was given the green light by Renfrewshire Council in March. The structure is in line for a major facelift following the revelation
last year it could be transformed into a combined bistro and community space in the years ahead. Councillor Doig said: "The plans to upgrade the Steeple Hall are continuing apace and so
too is healthy dialogue about its future use. "One of the key options favoured by the council is the use of the lower main hall as a bistro and I can reveal that recently a site visit
took place between myself, council officers and a mystery entrepreneur, who is very interested in this concept. "This constituent approached me last December after there was initial
publicity about the future development of the Steeple with a possible offer of a bistro as a concept. "Officers were also in attendance and the individual concerned, who has an
extensive background in running restaurants, was very impressed by the potential it has. "I have made it clear of course that there will very likely be a tendering process with more
than one interested party in the mix at the end of the day. "Should any further interested parties approach me on the matter I will direct them to another ward councillor as there could
be a conflict of interest given that I am already liaising with one particular individual on the matter." Heritage specialists from Glasgow Building Preservation Trust previously
helped in drawing up a number of potential functions as part of an options appraisal commissioned by the local authority. Four possibilities were presented but early feedback suggested a
vision focused on a ground floor restaurant and first floor multi-use venue could be in pole position. The feasibility of such a proposal was to be explored in greater depth by senior
officers after the move was agreed at a meeting of the economy and regeneration policy board in November. The cost to internally refit and refurbish the building for this preferred use was
estimated to be in the region of £384,000, a report to that board said. This would be on top of around £308,000 worth of repairs. Reflecting on the intrigue, Councillor Doig added:
"This interest is very good news because the Steeple Hall means a lot to us all. Article continues below "I, for example, had my son's Christening reception there in 1995, but
now we need to turn a new chapter in the pages of the history of the Steeple to put it to new uses for a new century as part of a wider and rejuvenated Kilbarchan cultural quarter."
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