Leather firm visitors’ book bound to be a hit
Designer tome celebrates Paisley’s culture city bid
The biggest manufacturer of leather in the UK has created a bespoke visitor’s book to celebrate its backing of Paisley’s bid to be named UK City of Culture 2021.
Paisley is one of five places shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2021 title alongside Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland and Swansea.
And the big decision is coming from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport tomorrow.
Scottish Leather Group’s chief executive officer Iain McFadyen and director James Lang handed over the embossed leather tome to Provost Lorraine Cameron.
It has been hand-crafted by designer Kerr Watson in his Bridge of Allan studio, and is inscribed with the Paisley 2021 logo in the distinctive bid colours of blue and orange.
Provost Cameron said: “We are delighted that a company with such historic roots and international links is backing the bid for Paisley to become UK City of Culture 2021.
“The support from Scottish Leather Group and the business community as a whole demonstrates the scale of the commitment to the town’s bid to be named UK City of Culture 2021.
“It’s also wonderful to have such a special memento from SLG which showcases their work and will hopefully be used to capture visitors’ thoughts on Paisley in a winning year of culture.”
SLG is the parent company of a group of leather manufacturing and associated companies which has an annual turnover in excess of £120 million.
The group’s Bridge of Weir site opened in 1905 and today houses one of Europe’s largest leather production facilities.
Its five companies include the 110- year- old Bridge of Weir Leather, which specialises in luxury automotive leathers and Paisley tanners WJ & W Lang, which can trace its roots back to 1872.
Mr Lang said: “Having had a presence in Paisley that dates back to 1872, winning UK City of Culture will benefit local businesses, the residents of Paisley and Renfrewshire as a whole.”
SLG is one of 15 organisations to pledge a combined £300,000 should Paisley take the UK City of Culture 2021 title.