INVERCLYDE’S key heritage attraction — The Watt Institution — has been closed for nearly a year for installation of a lift, with still no opening date given for the museum, gallery and library which were supposed to be ready for the public six months ago.
The institution on Kelly Street at Union Street, Greenock, comprises The McLean Museum and Art Gallery, the Watt Library and Inverclyde archives. It closed on Saturday 6 October 2025 and was expected to reopen in February. The delay means the museum and gallery, which opened in 1876, has been closed for much of its 150th anniversary year.
An update for councillors stated: “The lift is now installed, and the contractor is addressing snagging and decorative finishes surrounding the lift. Final testing and commissioning is still to be carried out.”
Provost Drew McKenzie asked if there was an opening date at a meeting of Inverclyde Council’s environment and regeneration committee.
Interim environment director Eddie Montgomery responded: “I’m not aware of an opening time for the Watt Institution. In terms of the lift project, we’ve still got a wee bit to do in the commissioning. The lift is of Spanish manufacture and there are a few parts that are coming.
“I think they [the library service] are looking to re-open parts of it rather than wait for that to happen but I don’t have that information.”
Provost McKenzie replied: “It’s very disappointing. It was only to be a very short-term closure and suddenly its amounted to the best part of a year probably. It’s missed by a lot people and I think we really haven’t done well with that.”
Mr Montgomery said he shared the Provost’s frustration and added: “The contractors and sub-contractors have been particularly challenging on this one.”
A member of the public who contacted Inverclyde Now about the closure said: “If you ask the AI-generated council enquiry it tells you that it is reopening in early 2026. Clearly a load of nonsense. Surely an important museum and library for this area should not have been closed for this length of time for a lift installation.”
The McLean Museum collection is spread over two levels but there was no way for anyone with mobility issues to access the upper floor, prompting the project to install a glass lift at the end of the main hall opposite the stairs.
Councillors were told at the time: “The disruptive nature of these works will necessitate the removal from display of most museum objects currently exhibited on both the mezzanine and ground floor levels of the museum. This will protect objects from dust; vibrations; and/or any other accidental damage. Objects that cannot be easily relocated will be protected as appropriate in situ.
“Access through the building for both staff and visitors will be compromised by the site requirements associated with the building works. Considerations of access requirements, health
and safety, and fire safety have informed the decision to recommend closure of the Watt Institution for the duration of these works.
“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.”
