New trio join bid for town centre cinema
Three new trustees have been appointed to Paisley Community Trust to help it realise its vision for a cinema in the town centre.
Tony Lawler, Annette Armstrong and Cameron Swanson will be joining the board who assist chair Gary Kerr and vice-chair Andy Campbell, who founded the charity in 2014.
Their aim is to create a community cinema on Paisley High Street at the Bargain Buys store.
PCT has drawn up plans to create five screens - each seating between 40 and 160 people - as well as a bar and restaurant, a rooftop cafe bar, a digital skills academy, a cinema heritage museum and community spaces, while it is hoped Bargain Buys will continue to trade in an enhanced retail unit on the ground floor.
They’ve called the project PXLS – pronounced pixels – which stands for Paisley Cross La Scala.
Tony Lawler is the Charleston Drummer who leads the annual Sma’ Shot parade. A recipient of the Freedom of Renfrewshire award, Tony was a former trustee at Paisley Development Trust where he hosted the annual Hogmanay Commemoration of the Glen Cinema disaster. Tony is also an active member of the Foxbar and Brediland Community Council.
He said: “I’m really pleased to be joining PCT. It’s important that the community is involved and at the heart of the regeneration of our town and Paisley Community Trust is key to that.
“The plan for a community cinema and hub right in the town centre is really exciting and will set the scene in the town centre for years to come.”
Owner of Armstrong Massage Therapy in Paisley, Annette Armstrong has experience working in the health, wellness and fitness industry.
She said: “Paisley Community Trust are a fantastic organisation who work hard to drive community focused regeneration in the town.
“I look forward to building greater relationships with our members and communities to really understand the needs in the town.”
Cameron Swanson recently graduated from the University of Strathclyde and has a passion for Paisley’s architecture and heritage, having worked as an assistant to Queen’s Sculptor, Sandy Stoddart.
He said: “The latest revealed work around a high street cinema is an inspiring forward- looking project giving an idea of what Paisley could be.
“I look forward to discovering the needs and wants of the town and help in someway to shape a better future for Paisley together with the other experienced board members.”
Gary Kerr, chairman of Paisley Community Trust, welcomed the three new trustees.
“It’s great to see the board at Paisley Community Trust attract such expertise and talent,” he said.
“Tony, Annette and Cameron bring considerable skills, knowledge and passion to the trust.
“This will be instrumental as we take the next steps forward to play our part in the regeneration of the town.”
Tony, Annette and Cameron bring considerable skills, knowledge and passion to the trust