Culture title could mean £172m boost Winning would rejuvenate Renfrewshire, say bid bosses
David Campbell
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Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce also revealed it will make a five-figure contribution to the costs of hosting the prestigious culture title if Paisley wins.
The shortlist for the award will be announced by the UK government shortly – and now the business community has rallied to back the bid.
Management from the chamber showed their support on a visit to one of its members – Braehead-based internet firm Boston Networks, which recently won a £1m council contract to supply free epublic public wifi to Paisley town centre.
Renfrewshire Chamber is following in the footsteps of other big-name firms who have agreed to support the 2021 year – Glasgow International Airport, intu Braehead, Diageo, Gordon Leslie Group and Malcolm Group, as well Coats Group PLC, the world’s largest industrial thread manufacturer, which started life in the town.
The organisation’s chief executive Bob Grant, who is a member of the Paisley 2021 executive bid team, said: “The chamber board is financially supporting Paisley 2021 because it recognises that winning the title would bring a massive economic boost to Renfrewshire, and our members would share in that.
“The bid has already raised Paisley’s profile and helped promote it as an attractive place to visit, work and invest.
“No matter what happens with the shortlist announcement, the work to create a new visitor economy, based around Paisley’s unique heritage assets, will continue, creating jobs and footfall for local traders.
“But winning the title would take that to new levels – giving us a yearlong programme of major events and an international platform from which to build a long- lasting economic transformation, just as previous winners Derry did in 2013 and current title-holders Hull are doing now.”
Bid bosses estimate hosting the title could bring in a £172m economic boost for the local economy – while creating the equivalent of 4,700 jobs over a tenyear period.
Boston Networks will soon roll out a f free public-access wifi system in Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone town centres as part of Renfrewshire’s digital strategy.
Councillor Iain Ni c o l s o n ,
The man known as the godfather of hairdressing has backed Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021. Trevor Sorbie MBE has told how his upbringing in the town helped shape his long and successful career. He grew up in the shadow of Anchor Mills before his family moved to London, where he went on to become one of the country’s most celebrated hairdressers. In his 50-year career, Trevor has been named British Hairdresser of the Year four times – more than anyone else in the industry – while running a number of his own salons, Renfrewshire Council leader and chair of the Paisley 2021 partnership board said: “We thank Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce for their generous contribution to the 2021 bid.
“The bid supports a wider plan by the council to use our tremendous events, architecture and history to make Renfrewshire a key visitor destination.
“Part of that is around making sure a 21st- century infrastructure is in place – which is why it is fitting Boston Networks are involved in this announcement, as the work they are doing for us to roll out free public wifi is key to that.”
Scott McEwan, chief executive of Boston Networks, added: “We are delighted to add our backing to the Paisley 2021 bid – the activity around the bid is already creating opportunities for local businesses like Boston Networks and there will be significantly more benefit to our business if Paisley wins.”
and his own academies in London and China.
Trevor was in back in town on Tuesday to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland.
He said:“I was 11 when I came down to England but I grew up in a modest tenement building. I wasn’t brought up with a silver spoon in my mouth.
“What Paisley gave me was something I never forget. “I always remember Paisley. “That’s my grounding, and I like to think of where I’m from and where I am.
“From that point of view Paisley is ingrained in me and I love it – I will never forget this place.”