Article Source: Paisley 2021
Last Updated: 27 July 2017 10:12
The Renfrewshire town was last week named as the only Scottish place on the shortlist for the prestigious title, run by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Paisley’s bid is part of a wider push to transform the town’s future using its internationally-significant heritage and cultural offer.
And with bid bosses forecasting an economic bonanza worth hundreds of millions, and 1.7m event attendances for Paisley’s potential 2021 year, the benefits would be spread throughout the city region.
Should Paisley win the 2021 title, it would be the latest in a line of major events for the Glasgow area, such as the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 European Championships.
Jill Miller OBE, director of cultural services at Glasgow Life, said: “We are delighted Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture in 2021 has reached the shortlist.
“The bid is already of extraordinary quality and will continue to bring huge economic and cultural benefits to Paisley and to surrounding areas, especially Glasgow.
“The bold, innovative and exciting Paisley 2021 offer is a compelling mix of its existing cultural assets and brilliant new work and is proudly carrying the hopes of the whole country with it.”
The bid has also been backed by Glasgow Airport – which sits within Paisley’s boundaries – and links the town with 120 destinations worldwide.
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “Huge congratulations must go to the 2021 bid team and the people of Paisley for their efforts in ensuring the town made the shortlist. What a fantastic achievement.
“Securing UK City of Culture status in 2021 would provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really showcase this iconic Scottish town’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
“Everyone at Glasgow Airport remains firmly behind the bid, and as Scotland’s only remaining contender it is important the entire country backs Paisley in the months ahead.”
It is estimated Paisley’s 2021 year could bring a £172m economic boost and create the equivalent of 4,700 jobs over a ten-year period.
Current UK City of Culture hosts Hull have seen £1 billion of investment since winning the title in 2013, with the city attracting 1.4m visitors in just the first three months of its year in the spotlight.
Paisley is joined on the shortlist by Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea.
Councillor Iain Nicolson, chair of the Paisley 2021 partnership board, added: “We are delighted with the support we have had over the past week from our partners in Glasgow and beyond...we are now Scotland's bid.
“Our excellent transport links make us easy to reach – we have Scotland’s fourth-busiest rail station and an international airport, and there are 2.6 million people within a one-hour drive of Paisley.
“While winning the 2021 title would transform the future of Paisley and Renfrewshire, there is a recognition it would also be very good for the wider region too.
“Those benefits would be economic – through the number of visitors – but also social and cultural, with opportunities for people to come to Paisley to enjoy a programme of world-class artists.”
For more information, see paisley2021.co.uk
Top Dogs is back! Dog lovers invited to come and have a fun day out with their four-legged family members.
READ MOREBritain's biggest independent craft brewer, BrewDog is giving beer lovers a chance to 'Drink Beer, Win Cash' with the return of its Cash Cans scavenger hunt this Spring.
READ MOREEuropean Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival saw thousands of people turn out to sample some fantastic produce and street food from across Scotland at the weekend.
READ MOREDementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.
READ MOREIt's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.
READ MOREGlasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.
READ MOREA spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORENational Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORETouring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MOREAldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MOREThe first opening road bridge across the River Clyde is a step closer to completion as the first section of the Renfrew Bridge has arrived in Renfrewshire.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MORERunners in Renfrewshire are set to benefit from a new running track at the On-X Sports Centre in Linwood after a contract was approved by councillors.
READ MOREACCORD Hospice is pleased to announce the return of its annual art exhibition to The Art Department in Paisley between the 26th of April and 10th May.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREDuring the Easter holidays, hundreds of kids across Renfrewshire have enjoyed free school holiday activity camps.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREThe Paisley 10k and Fun Run will see thousands taking to the streets when the event returns to the town on Sunday 18th August, 2024.
READ MOREEnvironmentally conscious individuals are being asked to volunteer for a new community taskforce to help protect Renfrewshire's rich riverbank habitats.
READ MOREPaisley's Spring Farmyard Trail is coming to Paisley town centre from Friday the 29th of March until Monday 15th of April.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREGP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"