THE £66MILLION refurbishment of the Burrell Collection has taken a major step forward.

City councillors have named Kier Construction as the preferred bidder to deliver the main building contract.

Work will involve the sensitive repair of the building, renewal of services, creation of a new internal access core and refurbishment of the museum’s interiors along with landscaping. Kier Construction will start onsite at the Burrell early summer this year.

The refurbishment will result in the museum’s public space increasing by 83% and gallery space increasing by more than a third.

Store rooms on the lower ground floor will be open to the public for the first time and there will be improved facilities including a café and shopping with landscaped terraced linking the museum to its parkland.

Brian McQuade, managing director of Kier Construction Scotland, said: “It is an honour to be working with Glasgow Life in the restoration of the home of the Burrell Collection – a national treasure for Scotland.

“We have a solid record of successfully working on major heritage projects of this scale, including the restoration of the Mackintosh Building at Glasgow School of Art.

“We are committed to working closely with the local supply chain to help create a range of diverse employment and training opportunities and provide opportunity throughout the life of the project to help increase footfall in Pollok Park during the construction period as we deliver this important project.”

Glasgow Life chairman David McDonald described the appointment of Kier Construction as a significant milestone.

He said: “The refurbishment of the Burrell Collection will unlock the great potential of Sir William’s incredible gift to the city.

“We are protecting and enhancing the collection for current and future generations and creating a home for these treasures which, in its location at the heart of Pollok Park, is nothing short of exceptional.”

Work on the refurbishment has received a new boost with the Wolfson Foundation and the Headey Trust each pledging £500,000, the Gannochy Trust £250,000 and the Taylor Family Foundation £150,000.

Burrell Renaissance chairman Sir Angus Grossart said: “We are grateful for the support of those who have committed so generously to the Burrell Renaissance.

“That significant support reinforces or ambition to ensure Sir William’s legacy will have a physical context and the international engagement his great collection deserves.”