Thermo Fisher backs the bid
One of the world’s leading life science companies has backed Paisley’s bid to be named UK City of Culture 2021.
Thermo Fisher Scientific, which employs more than 700 people at its Renfrewshire base, has pledged financial backing if Paisley takes title.
Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “As we approach a decision on the UK City of Culture 2021, it’s good to be able to express our thanks to businesses, some with global links, who have put their support behind us.
“The scale of the commitment of the business community, including internat i o na l firms such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, demonstrates how they have embraced the huge opportunity to boost the area’s economy.”
Thermo Fisher’s base in Renfrewshire has a history stretching back more than four decades.
It opened a £14 million facility at the Inchinnan plant in 2015 making products for drugs which treat influenza and other diseases.
Jim Carswell, operations director and Inchinnan site leader, said: “Many of our employees are local to the area.
“We are delighted to throw our support behind the Paisley bid to be the UK City of Culture in 2021 and we wish the team every success ahead of the announcement next month.”
More than 200 companies have shown their support for Paisley’s bid, while a further 13 private sector organisations have committed over quarter of a million pounds if the town is successful.
Thermo Fisher Scientific joins a list of sponsors including drinks giant Diageo, Glasgow Airport, Chivas Brothers and Intu Braehead in backing the bid.
A decision on the UK City of Culture 2021 title is expected from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport which organised the competition, next month.
In the run- up to the bid announcement, we want readers from across Renfrewshire, Scotland and the rest of the world to give the bid one final push by reviving our #WhyILovePaisley campaign.
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.