City leaders back culture bid

PAISELY winning the UK City of Culture 2021 bid would bring “huge” benefits to the whole Glasgow region, according to business and culture chiefs.

With the Renfrewshire town in the running for the the accolade leading figures from Glasgow Life and Glasgow Airport have backed its bid.

Jill Miller OBE, director of cultural services at Glasgow Life, said: “The bid is already of extraordinary quality and will continue to bring huge economic and cultural benefits to Paisley and to surrounding areas, especially Glasgow.

“The bold, innovative and exciting Paisley 2021 offer is a compelling mix of its existing cultural assets and brilliant new work and is proudly carrying the hopes of the whole country with it.”

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “Securing UK City of Culture status in 2021 would provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really showcase this iconic Scottish town’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

“Everyone at Glasgow Airport remains firmly behind the bid, and as Scotland’s only remaining contender it is important the entire country backs Paisley in the months ahead.”

Should Paisley win the 2021 title, it would be the latest in a line of major events for the Glasgow area, such as the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 European Championships.

A final bid will be submitted in September with the winner announced in December.