£4m facelift shows off town’s beauty

Revamp for firms thanks to shopfront scheme

Business owners are benefitting from the latest round of funding to improve shopfronts across the town centre.

Renfrewshire Council is overseeing a £4million building overhaul in Paisley

Allan Toti runs ADT Properties, which is receiving a facelift and insists the works will help show off the area.

He said: “There is such beautiful architecture in the town and, by making funding available for improvements to the properties, it gives people the opportunity to admire them more.

“The grant funding is a great thing and I would encourage other shop owners to take advantage of it as it offers businesses benefits to them as well as improving the look of the buildings in the town.

“I love the town. It’s a great place and improvements to the town centre will only help to make it an even better place.”

Council chiefs say the regeneration programme aims to make the area around the High Street a more attractive place to visit and invest.

They have teamed up with the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland to fund the scheme.

Building owners can apply for grant funding for repairs and shopfront improvements.

Planners say this will help cut the number of vacant properties.

Clark Contracts is taking on work in Gilmour Street, where ADT Properties is based.

The building is also home to Walker Laird solicitors head office.

Ronnie McGinlay, partner at the firm, which has 55 lawyers and support staff, insists the work enticed the business to remain local.

He said: “Our firm is keen to stay in the centre of Paisley and, due to the cost of the major refurbishment works, sought advice on grant funding from Renfrewshire Council.

“The decision to award the grant has allowed Walker Laird to maintain its presence in the town and the firm is very grateful for the assistance and advice offered throughout this process.”

The scheme follows an initial £3.5m investment in blocks around nearby Causeyside Street.

Fresh projects to draw life back into the town centre include reopening the Russell Institute, the proposed relocation of Paisley Central Library to the High Street and plans for a £ 42m Paisley Museum revamp.

Council leader Iain Nicolson is delighted to see buildings benefit from the facelift fund

He said: “Paisley boasts an impressive built heritage which we want to protect and revitalise.

“By investing in our built environment, we will encourage more visitors and businesses to the area, which will, in turn, increase footfall on the High Street and reduce the number of vacant properties.

“We want to help building owners repair and improve their premises to help increase business interest.

“It’s great to see building and business owners in the community take advantage and I would encourage more people to find out about the grant funding offered and what the benefits are likely to be.”