100 Days to save Coats fundraiser hits first milestone

An appeal to save an historic church from ruin has reached one per cent of its target.

The 100 Days to Save Coats Memorial fundraising drive was launched a week ago with a goal of £1.5 million.

That target has now reached more than £22,000.

Plans for Coats Memorial include the construction of a single storey ticketing/ booking office, landscaped gardens, a car park with space for 30 vehicles, a demountable performance stage, theatre seating for events and banquets, audio/visual rigs for specialist cinema evenings and a 400kg lift to provide disabled access between the church floor and ballroom.

The aim is to turn it into an events venue that can be hired out for weddings, concerts, conferences and more.

The church, which is more than 100- years- old, closed as a place of worship last August because of dwindling congregation numbers and the very high upkeep of the Grade A-listed architectural masterpiece.

As part of the 100-day campaign, Coats Memorial has enlisted the talent of world- renowned tapestry artist, Andrew Crummy.

Mr Crummy has started a Tapestry of Paisley Icons, paying homage to the town’s most famous sons and daughters.

Featured on the bespoke tapestry is Thomas Coats, the original Paisley icon, without whom Coats Memorial and many other public spaces and buildings in the town would not exist.

Seen in the artwork are famous people with a Paisley connection.

They are the late singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty, artist and playwright John Byrne, actor Gerard Butler, singersongwriter Paolo Nutini, politician Mhairi Black, and actors Phyllis Logan and David Tennant.

Throughout the 100 days campaign Coats Memorial will also host performances by Paisley Opera, PACE Theatre Company, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and University of West Scotland Choir, with many more to be confirmed.

Paisley businessman Ian Henderson, who leads the steering group behind the fundraising drive, said: “On behalf of the steering group, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has donated so far.”

Coats Memorial will be open to the public every Saturday from noon until 4pm for the duration of the campaign.

Anyone who would like to donate to the appeal can do so by visiting https:// www.justgiving.com/campaign/100d aystosavecoatsmemorial.