Inverclyde Council will seek to minimise disruption as the Watt Institution in Greenock closes for a number of months to allow a new lift to be put in place.
The installation is set to take place to address the lack of an accessible route to the upper exhibition space on the museum’s mezzanine floor.
A report on the project was presented at Thursday’s full council meeting, confirming work is expected to begin this week and finish in February 2026.
However, council leader Stephen McCabe requested more information as to why the facility needed to shut for approximately 20 weeks.
He said: “It has been the case that some people have expressed a bit of concern, I have to say, about the length of the closure and I think the report tries to explain why that’s necessary.
“But it would maybe be helpful just to get a wee bit more on that – the practicalities that require a closure for that length of time.”
Ruth Binks, the council’s corporate director for education, communities and organisational development, responded: “We had originally hoped to do it without a closure but the installation of the lift is a big job and also we need to put the exhibits into a safe place.”
She continued: “That’s the reason why we have to have the closure and the length of time is simply the anticipated time that it’s going to take to install the lift.
“Of course people will do it as quickly as they can but we are used to potential delays as well.
“Property have asked to say that the 20 weeks is a notional 20 weeks. It could possibly be extended but of course we will try and keep the disruption to a minimum.”
As the Watt Institution is an A-listed building, the design had to be approved by Historic Environment Scotland. The work will see a glass lift fitted at the end of the main hall opposite the existing stairs.
The report explained: “For the duration of these works, Watt Institution staff will continue to progress collections-based tasks and activities, with a continued focus on facilitating alternative access to the collections held in trust for the people of Inverclyde.
“Through liaison with Inverclyde Libraries colleagues, the team will seek to facilitate continued access to key local history resources, including its popular newspaper archive.
“Available social media platforms will be used to spotlight collection objects and share stories and updates about work ongoing.
“Collections-based queries will continue to be invited via the Watt Institution email address – advertised online and via social media.”
