We’re giving visitors a warm welcome

Taxi drivers, shop workers, restaurant and bar staff can take advantage of new training to help them welcome visitors to Paisley.

The new Paisley Welcomes programme will train people who have roles welcoming visitors to Paisley including volunteers and hospitality and leisure workers to retail staff and taxi drivers.

Anyone interested can register for an online module and the first 2,000 people to sign up will be able to complete it free of charge as Renfrewshire Council and Scottish Enterprise are helping fund the scheme.

Leader of Renfrewshire Council, Councillor Iain Nicolson, said:“The Paisley Welcomes skills development project offers a great opportunity for individuals and businesses to showcase the very best of Paisley and Renfrewshire.

“The project will also support the delivery of a number of key strategic priorities over the next three years – including the Paisley 2021 Legacy Plan and the Renfrewshire events strategy.

“It is a great opportunity for businesses to enhance their customer offer and I would encourage all interested parties to register for the project and take advantage of the first 2,000 free training places subsidised by the council and Scottish Enterprise.”

The programme is based on the well-established Glasgow Welcomes scheme which trained all the Commonwealth Games volunteers.

A number of local businesses are backing the project and have pledged to sign up.

Graeme Gibson, general manager of the Glynhill Hotel in Renfrew, said: “This will enable us to engage with other businesses as well as upskill our team which will in turn help grow the local economy and we will benefit as a natural result of that.”

Local restauranteur, Colette Cardosi, added:“Paisley Welcomes will help enhance the skills our staff already have and enable them to provide an excellent level of service.”

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Bob Grant, said he hoped the training scheme would boost local businesses.

He added:“This is a great opportunity for businesses in Renfrewshire to provide the best experience possible for visitors.”