We’ll make the town centre a trading place
Paisley First boss looks forward to busy event schedule
23.05.2018 The new director of Paisley First has said he’s looking forward to encouraging more people into his hometown.
Graeme McGowan, 45, was elected chairman last month after Ian Henderson stood down following more than two years at the helm.
The dad- of- three is a partner in MSM Solicitors in Moss Street and was part of the steering group which set up the Business Improvement District (BID).
He said he’s taken over the reins at a healthy time for the organisation, which is tasked with improving the fortunes of Paisley town centre.
He added: “I was thrilled to be elected. It’s good that the rest of the board have put their trust in me.
“We’re in a much stronger organisation now. We’ve already organised a number of successful events to bring people into the town.
“We want to strengthen the advocacy role we can play for businesses.”
Paisley First is the non- profit organisation set up to deliver a Business Improvement District. There are more than 40 BIDs across Scotland.
All businesses in an area are asked to pay a levy, based on the size of their organisation. The money is pooled together and used to fund projects which are meant to boost trade in the area.
Paisley First was set up in January 2015 and members will be asked to vote again in October next year on whether they’re happy for it to continue.
It’s a deadline Graeme is all too aware of.
He said: “We have a fixed five-year term and have to convince everybody they’re getting good value for their levy.
“There has long been a feeling that businesses had to come together to try to do something to improve the town centre.
“With the limited resources we have, we are certain we have achieved that.
“We had increased visitor numbers with the Pride of Paisley lion parade and WinterFest as well as events such as CarFest which shows how many people are willing to come into the town centre if we can attract them.”
Looking ahead, Graeme is looking forward to Jurassic Bricks in the summer.
A trail of 15 dinosaurs made entirely from Lego bricks will be dotted on a trail around Paisley town centre along with two interactive play zones.
WinterFest will also be coming back for a longer duration after last year’s successful event.
St Mirren season ticket holder Graeme grew up in the north end of Paisley, attending Mossvale Primary and Merksworth High, and still lives in the town with his wife Gail and his daughters aged 12 and nine-year-old twins.
He is confident Paisley First is succeeding in changing people’s views of the town.
“We have so many independent shops, great cafes and restaurants and really strong professions in the town,” he said.
“I believe what we’re doing is improving things and making a difference.
“We are continuing to see new businesses open in Paisley like Coco Childrenswear, Comicrazy Cafe and Monterey Jacks in Moss Street.
“It’s about changing the conversation away from what Paisley doesn’t have, to recognising what we do have in the town.”