Town Centre Submission

Submission by Wendy Alexander MSP to the Cabinet Secretary For Finance and Sustainable growth, John Swinney, supporting Paisley’s bid to Town Centre Regeneration Fund

Introduction

On the 30th of April 2009 the Scottish Government published details of how it proposed to allocate £60m of funding to assist town centre regeneration across Scotland.

I understand applications submitted to the Scottish Government will be considered comprehensively by an independent panel in the first instance, before then coming to Ministers for consideration and decision making based on the panel’s recommendations. I enclose my submission to you in support of the Paisley Bid.

Why Paisley Town Centre Matters

Paisley Town Centre is the central part of local peoples’ lives – to shop, do business, meet others, socialise, and spend leisure time. People need their town centre to be clean, successful and safe. But equally if their town centre is unsafe, vandalised, graffiti ridden, litter strewn or full of derelict buildings then people are disheartened.

“I have to say I think the Paisley Centre car park is a disgrace. It is absolutely manky”, Paisley Daily Express letters page June 2009.

Sadly, letters and remarks along a similar vein are all too common. BUT Paisley can be a better place for people to live, work and enjoy. It has a huge potential to return to the first rate town everyone is proud of.

Economic and social changes have had a profound impact on Paisley Town Centre in recent years. There has been a severe decline in its retail function in the face of competition from Glasgow city centre and out-of-town centres Brahead and Silverburn. A number of major stores in the town centre have closed; there are many vacant shopping units, too many derelict gap sites and buildings, low demand, and a shift towards cheap-end retailing.

But the town has much strength to build upon. With a population of 75,000 people, Paisley is Scotland’s largest town. Handsome and with some unique and incredibly distinctive historic buildings, the town centre lies at the heart of the Renfrewshire community.

What this bid asks for

Renfrewshire had previously commissioned an in-depth study to determine a comprehensive regeneration strategy for Paisley Town Centre. This was subsequently published in the ‘Yellow Book’.

The application submitted to the Town Centre Regeneration Fund is based around the strategic planning context provided by this Yellow Book study and the later council approved Town Centre Action Plan. The application to the Town Centre Regeneration Fund has been submitted by Renfrewshire Council on behalf of the Paisley Vision Board – the partnership of main stakeholders in the town centre which provides leadership and a consensus based framework for the regeneration of the town centre. 

The Town Centre Regeneration Fund provides a major opportunity to accelerate progress on some of the key elements of the action plan and deliver a lasting impact on the town centre.

Priorities highlighted in Renfrewshire’s bid for Paisley are:

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

The sustainable regeneration of Paisley will require major investment by the private sector to develop key, high-profile sites. The economic climate is very challenging but the local authority will strive to continue to work in partnership with the private sector to bring forward residential, office, retail and mixed use schemes.

Access and Transport system

Getting in, out and through the town centre is a fundamental factor in attracting investment and people to fuel regeneration. Difficulties getting into town to access shops, businesses and facilities are currently evident. Plans include improved public transport, including better integration between bus and rail, more efficient bus operation through the town centre, and enhanced facilities and information for public transport users. Better traffic management to improve access in and out of the town centre at a number of key junctions.

A smart, safe, clean town

Keeping the town centre smart, safe and clean is a crucial element for attracting investors, shoppers, visitors and residents. Both perception and reality of the town centre as a safe, secure and welcoming place is key. Much effort has recently been put into improved street and environmental cleaning projects. Progress also in upgrading derelict sites and buildings throughout the town centre are helping to uplift its tired look.

Some steps to enhance community safety have already been implemented including additional dedicated town centre police and wardens to address low level crime and antisocial behaviour.

Currently the town centre holds outdoor events such as fortnightly farmers’ markets, a 10k run, music festivals and Christmas lights celebrations but the strong ambition is to build a much greater programme of street activities and concerts, appealing across the community and in turn working to help dismiss negative perceptions held about the town centre.
 
There are new plans for the creation of a community sports hub in Paisley, which would include day services for adults and would also increase visitors to Paisley town centre. The Lagoon Leisure Centre is to improve the former ice arena and swimming pool hall, meaning an extended fitness gym which would include a junior fitness area – giving our currently limited youngsters gym better access. The estimated cost of this project is over £7m.

The sports hall would be improved and specialist equipment for youth activities, which would include climbing walls, skate board parks, and mountain bike equipment would be provided. This would provide the Lagoon with a versatile multi-purpose facility which would cater for all ages and sectors of the community.

The swimming pool area will be refurbished and updated to provide modern water features, new pool plant equipment and a new roof would be included in the refurbishment to ensure the pool’s viability for the next 25 years.

What is still needed

A long term strategic framework. A 10 year investment programme, with £10m of public money levering an anticipated £40-£45m of private funds.

Priorities should be:

• to repopulate the heart of Paisley for both business and their customers
• to establish a viable and sustainable shopping and leisure offer
• to make Paisley a real University town.
• to consolidate Paisley’s role as a centre of local government and administration
• to make Paisley a more accessible and welcoming place
• Safe, secure and welcoming: to increase perceptions of the town centre as a safe and attractive location

New Proposals to the Scottish Government to Consider

There are a range of measures I hope the Scottish Government will consider before publishing your next budget:

• Establishing Town Centre Trusts comprising key national and local stakeholders and to develop local plans for town centre regeneration
• Make the new Town Centre Regeneration Fund an annual fund, not simply a one off award this year
• Allow local communities to bid for ownership of derelict or other rundown properties, to refurbish and re-let or demolish and turn into new safe greenspace.
• Consult on extending the community right to buy in urban areas 
• Rebalance powers between landlord and tenants of small high streets shops to make it easier for an individual with a good business idea to set up a small shop in one of Scotland’s high street and to encourage business to invest.
• Consider a new soft loan scheme for entrepreneurs willing to support small shops and businesses in town centres

Conclusions

Ambitions are high but certainly not unrealistic. The primary goal is for people to want spend more time and energy, and for businesses to be attracted to invest, in Paisley. A successful application to the Town Centre Regeneration Fund will signal the Scottish Government’s confidence in Paisley – and an immediate start of work on the ground to deliver long term sustainable economic growth for Renfrewshire.