Project Description

Overview

Following a successful competitive tender process, AGM Group was appointed to deliver the Stage Access Project at the historic Greenock Town Hall. The objective was to design and install a solution that would finally allow wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility to access the stage—a facility that had never before been possible in this Victorian landmark.

Our design introduced:

• A bespoke platform lift for wheelchair access
• A new direct staircase from floor to stage, fully compliant with modern building regulations

About the Building

Greenock Town Hall, designed in the 1880s by architects H&D Barclay, is a Category A listed building and one of Scotland’s most iconic civic landmarks. Known for its Italianate architecture, intricate plasterwork, and its striking 75ft Victoria Tower—taller than Glasgow City Chambers—the building originally housed the court, fire service, and police service. Preserving this heritage while enhancing accessibility was central to the project.

Challenges

Delivering a modern accessibility solution within a 19th-century structure required significant planning and technical expertise:

• Structural limitations: The existing floor could not support the new staircase and lift. AGM carefully broke out the floor, exposed the basement, and installed new steel strengthening elements designed by structural engineers to create a secure base.
• Precision installation: The platform lift required exact spatial tolerances, demanding meticulous design coordination and construction accuracy.
• Bespoke finishes: The staircase design featured maple timber, glass sides, illuminated treads and risers, and custom steel handrails—blending functionality with architectural elegance.

Our Approach

AGM worked in close collaboration with Inverclyde Council and specialist suppliers to ensure that the design:

• Respected the heritage setting while delivering a striking, modern intervention
• Allowed for precise ordering and installation of bespoke materials
• Was delivered to programme, with minimal disruption to scheduled events in the Town Hall

Material selection was carefully considered, with maple timber and sleek glass chosen to harmonise with the historic interior. The platform lift, designed with minimalist glass panels, became a visually impressive yet unobtrusive addition.

Open communication with the client was maintained throughout, ensuring all stakeholders were informed of progress and confident in the project’s success.

The Result

The new staircase and lift have transformed accessibility at Greenock Town Hall. For the first time, people with mobility challenges—including schoolchildren, performers, and musicians—can access the stage with ease.

The installation has also enhanced the venue’s prestige, with the staircase now serving as the main access route for events ranging from concerts and awards ceremonies to weddings. Its illuminated design evokes the drama of a grand stage entrance, creating a sense of theatre for every occasion.

Feedback from both the Council and the public has been overwhelmingly positive, with the project hailed as a milestone in the building’s history. AGM Group is proud to have delivered this important improvement, ensuring Greenock Town Hall remains both inclusive and iconic for generations to come.