AN old Paisley store is being given a spooky new lease of life.

After decades of neglect, the building at 30 High Street is being transformed into a heritage hub.

The facelift is a result of a partnership between local firm Calside Contracts, the Renfrewshire Witch Hunt 1697 project and Renfrewshire Council.

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Once completed, the new hub will provide visitors with an insight into events that have shaped the Paisley area over the years, including the execution of seven residents who were burned at the stake in 1697 after they were accused of being witches.

This is regarded as the last mass execution of witches in Western Europe. They were victims of a widespread hysteria in Scotland during the 17th century – fuelled by the fear of the occult and the Devil.

While the exact date for the hub’s grand opening has yet to be confirmed, those involved in the project are confident it will be worth the wait.

Liz Gardiner, chair of Renfrewshire Witch Hunt 1697, said: "This has been a wonderful project and we have been able to restore the building with incredible detail but it has also shown us the frightening prospect of how bad the High Street might be if it was just left to rot.

"This is an example of what can be done to save the High Street and it will be a great tourist attraction in the heart of Paisley.

"We hope to be done soon and look forward to welcoming people to the hub."

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Conservation scientist Marta Zurakowska, who has also been involved in the project, added: "Paisley has outstanding sandstone buildings and High Street’s built heritage is part of the finest architecture in the town.

"Number 30 High Street is a great example of how to clean and preserve a building."