House of Commons speaker Eleanor pays Paisley a visit

The Paisley-born Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons has backed the town’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021.

Eleanor Laing MP — who was brought up in Elderslie and went to St Columba School, in Kilmacolm — said she was thrilled that Paisley is now a step closer to the title.

And she said: “It is absolutely brilliant Paisley has been shortlisted to be UK City of Culture 2021.”

Earlier this month, Paisley was confirmed by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as the only Scottish place on the final shortlist — which also features Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea.

Mrs Laing was given a tour of the town by Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson and leader of the local Conservative group James MacLaren.

She said: “I am passionately backing the bid because I know the impact it will make on Paisley.

“Not only have the people of Paisley got tremendous energy and enterprise skills, but the town is full of potential.

“I think a lot of people have forgotten what a beautiful town Paisley was in its heyday and I really believe we can help people to rediscover Paisley’s glory.

“Working together towards the 2021 bid will bring tremendous benefits to everybody of all ages and backgrounds from this wonderful town.”

Mrs Laing has been the Conservative MP for the Epping Forest constituency in Essex since 1997.

She had previously stood for election for the Paisley North seat at the 1987 general election. She was defeated by the Labour incumbent Allen Adams.

Mrs Laing, who is vicechairman of the Westminster Pa r l i a m e n t a r y Rangers Supporters’ Club, paid a visit to the Gilmour Street retail base of InCube — Renfrewshire Council’s creative business hub.

She met staff and some of the local designers and makers who receive an intensive programme of business support and access to a shop to sell their creations.

Mr Nicolson, who is also chair of the Paisley 2021 partnership board, added: “We were delighted to welcome Eleanor to the town and talk her through the latest plans for Paisley 2021.

“Eleanor was really interested to hear about how the bid has already raised Paisley’s profile and changed how people see the town.

“It came across how much she still cares about Paisley and we really value her support.

“Since Paisley was announced as the only Scottish place on the shortlist, the town has had fantastic support from across the political spectrum and from various government agencies.

“It was also great we were able to visit the InCube shop as part of the tour. Paisley has such a rich history of creativity and design and the young entrepreneurs working on the programme are keeping that tradition alive.”

Not only have the people of Paisley got tremendous energy, but the town is full of potential