SAVE PAISLEY TOWN CENTRE!

- Wendy Takes Paisley’s Case to the Minister -

Local MSP Wendy Alexander has stepped up the case for Paisley Town Centre to receive funds from the newly established Town Centre Regeneration Fund. Ministers are expected to make the final decisions by the end of July. Wendy Alexander is making the case for Paisley direct to the Cabinet Secretary.

Wendy said:

“Details of the £60m of funding to assist town centre regeneration across Scotland are expected next week.“

”As one of Scotland’s largest towns, Paisley deserves to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this long-delayed fund. If Paisley’s full bid is successful the town centre will receive an additional £3.7m investment. This much needed investment would help enhance Paisley’s image, attract people and businesses to the area, boost community pride and support the local economy.”

”The bid includes:

- Acquisition of former Arnotts site
- Conversion of former Littlewoods store and YMCA building
- Public transport and car park improvements to Central Road and Piazza
- Road improvements at Gordon Street
- Environmental and shop front improvements to vacant units
- Events shelter at County Square”

”I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney, making the case for Paisley to receive its fair share of the £60m Town Centre Regeneration Fund.”

Just some of the comments collected from local people in support of Paisley’s bid include:

Irene Caffrey:
“This regeneration will restore pride of Paisley in its residents, who at present are scathingly depressed and ashamed of our beautiful town.”

Stuart Anderson:
“Paisley has such a wonderful history and sadly the situation that we find it in now doesn’t reflect that rich vein. Locals and visitors alike should feel safe and welcome as they stroll through the town centre as it has the chance to be a vibrant, colourful, cosmopolitan town.”

“Paisley has lost out in so much with out of town shopping and the decline of small business. The people of Paisley and surrounding areas deserve a better, brighter, more positive town centre to encourage a sense of well being and belonging to us all again.”

Poem originally written by constituent Michael Laakso in Paisley on 27th of May 2008:

Paisley

Oh dear old town of Paisley
You’re often dismissed much too hastily

The Abbey protected your chastity
The Monks prevented profanity

Once hailed as the cradle of monarchy
Walls fell after disbandment of monastery

Your pattern was renowned world famously
When The Mill was still weaving continuously

Now one always gets greetings cheerfully
While White Cart flows through the town gracefully

What could bring back your former glory?
That will be yet another new story

Hazel Hunter:
“Paisley is a beautiful town that only needs a bit of work and investment to bring it back to its former glory. Easier parking in the town centre and more upmarket shops would bring people back into the Centre to shop and socialise. Any effort and investment put into making Paisley great again will be well worth it.”

James Reynolds:
“Paisley deserves a chance to regenerate, it is sad to see a town with its history decaying both architecturally and as a retail enterprise area.”

Other:
“For the last few years the town centre has been allowed to run down and it now looks very sad with empty run down buildings everywhere you look.  As far as shopping is concerned it cannot compete with Braehead unless there is major investment. Paisley deserves to be allocated this money.”

Other:
“Paisley should have more than it does at present. Recent events i.e. Sma Shot Day, Christmas Lights etc. have proved that people want things happening in their town.”

Other:
“Having being born, educated and worked in this area all my life I have observed the gradual deterioration of the town over these years and it is sad to see the condition and deprivation that exists.  This town deserves to be part of the funding initiative as it has put so much into the heart of Central Scotland.”