The Prince's Regeneration Trust and its partners have announced the official re-opening of the Seedhill Footbridge at the Anchor Mill Threadworks restoration project will take place on Friday 12 September.

The re-opening will coincide with Renfrewshire's annual heritage Doors Open Days, which will take place on 13 - 14 September.

Sir Ken Morrison, Honorary President of Wm Morrison Supermarkets, will officially re-open the footbridge at 11:30am.

The exemplary restoration has been realised by a unique partnership comprising of The Prince's Regeneration Trust, Renfrewshire Council, Historic Scotland and Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC.

Specialist contractors undertook the restoration works with Doug Reid of James F Stephen Architects LLP as design team leader.

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of The Prince's Regeneration Trust, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that after years of hard work by the partnership we are able to complete the circle and re-open the Seedhill Footbridge, which has such a practical and sentimental place in the heart of the local community.


"Not only will it provide access to the stunning renovation project at Anchor Mills, but it will represent the commitment, resilience, hard work and optimism of everyone involved in the regeneration of this unique and important site."

Anchor Mills has been the subject of a major regeneration strategy in recent years. The award-winning £12m restoration of the category A-listed Domestic Finishing Mill has led to the successful establishment of business, retail and residential uses on site, including a 60,000 sq ft Morrisons store.

The supermarket chain also contributed £2.8m to the restoration project.

Paisley was a 19th century boom town, founded on the mass production of cotton thread.

The historic footbridge over the Whitecart River was constructed in the 1880s to link the people of Paisley with the Mill complex, a major provider of employment. However, after the Second World War the industry suffered and eventually the site – comprising of a number of listed buildings – was shut.

As the moribund local industry took its toll on the economic welfare of the community, the category B-listed bridge fell into a state of disrepair and was unused for decades.

The £560,000 restoration of the Seedhill Footbridge, which sits adjacent to the category A-listed Mill, has brought the footbridge back to its former glory and practical use for residents, workers and visitors to the Anchor Mills complex.

(GK)