The expected reopening of Paisley Museum – which is undergoing a £45 million transformation – has been pushed back until 2025.

Question marks also surround its operating hours as thought is given to switching from the proposed seven-day week to a six-day or combined seasonal model to cut costs.

The work is regarded as a flagship project within the wider investment in the town – which has included the town hall, learning and cultural hub, and arts centre – that could provide a notable boost for the economy in Renfrewshire.

But senior officials involved in the museum refurbishment have been urged to set a “final date” for a ribbon-cutting after it was confirmed that, while construction is due to finish in the autumn, reopening is now not expected until spring next year. It had previously been anticipated to reopen this year.

Councillor Eddie Devine, who represents Paisley Southeast, said: “They need to get it moved on. This project has been in the pipeline for a long time.

“It’s been a long struggle but we need to get it right. If it takes a wee bit longer, so be it, but there has to be a date for when it opens.

“They can’t keep putting it back. There’s got to be a final date when we need to have it open.”

It’s hoped the museum will be a “world-class destination” telling the stories of Paisley’s people and pattern and showcasing its internationally significant collections.

The project has included repairing and renovating all buildings on the campus and delivering a 20 per cent increase in the overall usable area.

It’s believed it has the potential to deliver around 125,000 visitors each year and a £79m lift for the economy over three decades.

However, a report to last month’s economy and regeneration policy board disclosed “mitigations” are being considered based on research within the museum and tourism sectors.

It said: “These include moving away from the proposed seven-day week operation to a six-day or combined seasonal model to help reduce costs, with the potential to retain access on weekdays for organised educational visits.

“Further refinement will be considered in year two as the regularity of visits and numbers of visitors becomes clearer and can be reviewed.”

Councillor Graeme Clark, Labour group economy and regeneration spokesperson, said at the January meeting: “Even before the museum has opened, it’s a bit disappointing to read that we are already looking at mitigating factors which will reduce access and change staffing ratios.”

Councillor Andy Steel, SNP board convener, responded at the time: “It is disappointing. I don’t disagree with you there. However, I’m looking around at other authorities who are closing such facilities and not just for one day, they are closing them.

“If we can get through this period of economic vandalism and come out the other side with the museum shut for one day a week, I’m taking that as a big, big win and I never thought I’d hear those words coming out of my mouth but that’s the reality of the situation that OneRen and the council are in.”

This week, Councillor Devine said he hoped the facility would be open seven days. He added: “People like myself might not get the chance to go during the week but would certainly go on a Saturday or Sunday.

“On the other hand, you might have people who work on the weekend and want to go during the week.”

OneRen, the trust responsible for culture and leisure in Renfrewshire, said its teams are “hard at work” on the project.

A spokesperson added: “The transformation of Paisley Museum is designed to create a world class visitor attraction with community at its core.

“Once open, we are confident it will be a beacon for the town and Renfrewshire and, along with the other cultural anchors and businesses, bring increased footfall – and civic pride – back to Paisley.

“Construction is progressing well and is expected to complete in late autumn, this will be followed by a detailed exhibition fit-out process, including the return of the civic collection, which can only be completed after main construction is complete.

“The project team continues to work on creating outstanding exhibition displays and we look forward to taking the wraps off what promises to be a must-see visitor attraction that the people of Renfrewshire can be rightly proud of.

“As such, we anticipate that the museum will reopen in late spring 2025 and will, we hope, be the jewel in our cultural crown, bringing significantly more footfall to the town centre and aims to unlock the significant economic potential of cultural venues for Paisley and wider Renfrewshire.

“OneRen is currently developing a revised business plan, which will model the operational requirements for the new museum. No details have been finalised and the intention is that proposals will feature in a report that will be brought to the economy and regeneration board in May.”