The Pearce Institute

This place is one of the many highlights of Govan. It’s a multi-​functional, friendly and beautiful building.
This really is a tourist attraction and a must see on your travels of Govan. The building is more commonly or affectionately known as the PI. It is in the heart of the community and has been since 1906.
I’ve been to so many various events, conferences, meetings and even a theatre production. I first started coming here to do teaching and train young unemployed volunteers about television operation. We had fun using the building as a film location for the many script ideas the young people came up with. On that note you may notice on the odd occassion a line of Arnold Clark vans lined up outside, then you know there’s a film being shot inside. The PI has been used for many big budget films, proving it’s such a great building.
It has many rooms for office space and larger rooms/​theatres split on three levels. The PI recently underwent some renovation work, especially for the return of the ship, which sits neatly at the top of the building outside. The MacLeod Hall is the largest hall, where I have arranged and attended many events and ceilidhs. It really is beautiful and a great space. I remember when setting up for an event elsewhere in the building the hall was being prepped for a wedding reception. I did say it was multi-​functional.
It has a lovely café called the Café Pearce, this tends to be seasonal so can close during summer and winter holidays. The staff are always pleasant and accomodating, as I have also arranged many events in there as well as it is also a suitable large room.
I have also used the Lithgow Theatre for rehearsal space for singing and dancing. Back in December I went along to see a pantomine, The Govan Cat, which was brilliant. Although not a conventional theatre it worked really well with the balcony from the MacLeod Hall allowing for a dressing room for the cast.
Many charities and businesses base themself from this building. There’s also numerous organisations which use it from the Govan and Craigton Intergration Network to dance and karate classes for young children. It’s a vibrant and active centre and it’s wonderful to see how a tremendous amount of ventures and activity still occurs on a daily basis.
The PI is always listed on the Doors Open Day, so if you want more of a look around I would definitely go along. Or why not just stop by for lunch for a wee cup of tea and bowl of soup.