It’s the final countdown
So let’s give Paisley a last push towards City of Culture title
After two years of planning, millions of pounds in investment and the input of almost half the town’s population ... Paisley is on the brink of being crowned UK City of Culture 2021.
And today, we’re asking readers from across Renfrewshire, Scotland and the rest of the world to give the bid one final push by reviving our #WhyILovePaisley campaign.
The UK City of Culture winner will be announced at the start of next month.
That would give Buddies around three weeks to voice their support one last time.
To get involved, simply tell us on Twitter what is fabulous about our town - using #WhyILovePaisley - and why it deserves to be crowned winner of the 2021 title.
You can also email a line of support for the campaign to lynn. jolly@ trinitymirror. com – just include your name and where you are from.
We will publish the best tweets and lines of support in the Express between now and the big day.
Victory over the other four entrants at the start of December could unlock a £ 172million economic jackpot and create almost 5,000 jobs over the next decade.
Success would also bag thousands of jobs and the prospect of Paisley hosting the likes of the Turner Prize and Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
As part of the overall changes for Paisley, Renfrewshire Council chiefs have already unveiled a £46m investment plan to revamp the town centre. This includes: Refurbishment and upgrades to Paisley Town Hall, worth £22m
A fresh look for Paisley Arts Centre, priced at £2.5m
A new arts venue at the former Galbraith’s site in Back Sneddon Street, costed at £3.5m
£10m worth of improvements to Paisley town centre and
A £ 7.7m upgrade to St James’ Playing Fields near the M8 motorway.
It is estimated Paisley’s 2021 year could create 4,700 jobs in a decade and attract more than 800,000 visitors.
Paisley was named as the only Scottish bidder on the shortlist for the 2021 competition alongside Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave her official seal of approval to Paisley’s bid in July.
Iron Sky singer Paolo Nutini rocked h i s home town last month with a charity gig at Paisley Abbey to show his backing.
And, in September, the bid was finally officially delivered ... on the back of a stunning Paisley pattern scooter.
It is estimated Paisley’s 2021 year could create 4,700 jobs in a decade and attract more than 800,000 visitors.
Hull is the reigning City of Culture and has coined in £1bn since 2013.