PAISLEY FLIES THE FLAG FOR SCOTLAND AS THE ONLY TOWN NORTH OF THE
Chris Taylor
Paisley is a step closer to being crowned UK City of Culture after making the final five.
Victory could unlock a £172 million economic windfall and create almost 5,000 jobs over the next decade.
The town is the only Scottish entrant remaining after making the five-strong winner’s shortlist.
Iain Nicolson, the new leader of Renfrewshire Council, insists Paisley is among the frontrunners for the prize.
He said: “For the judges to have shortlisted us is a major endorsement of our ambitions for Paisley and Renfrewshire – and we are in it to win it.
“I know local people will be absolutely thrilled at this news and we want to thank every one of them as their incredible contribution made it happen.
“They have turned the bid into a mass movement, with more than 30,000 people joining the conversation – almost half the town’s population.
“Winning the UK City of Culture 2021 title would be a major boost to our wider plans.
“Aside from hosting some of the world’s best performers and bringing more than a million people to Paisley in 2021, it would over the long term create thousands of new jobs, and allow us to attract massive investment and build a new town centre economy with tourism and creativity at its heart.
“We wish the best of luck to the other places which join us on the shortlist, and send our best wishes to those which didn’t make it through.”
Paisley’s bid centres on its unique heritage as a former world leader in industry, including its famous contributions to textiles and fashion.
But the town is also known across the globe for its poetry, musicians, artists, playwrights, architecture and scientists.
Initial bids were lodged at the end of April, with English cities Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland and Swansea in Wales, the last standing.
The five shortlisted entries will submit detailed second-stage bids by the end of next month, with the winner