Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
It was once world- famous for its weaving and the pattern named after it – but today few people would think of going to Paisley to buy a designer suit or a couture dress.
That, however, could all be about to change.
After years of decline, as shoppers deserted the historic high street for the nearby Braehead and Silverburn shopping centres, council leaders in the Renfrewshire town are making an unusual move in a bid to bring life back to town’s empty shop.
The council has hired commercial property company Colliers International to attract top stores to open outlet branches in the vacant units in the town centre.
Marks & Spencer opened a discount outlet in the town 18 months ago and it has proved a success.
Amanda Moulson, Paisley town centre manager, said:
“We have got an M&S outlet, the performance of which has been really successful.
“So we thought ‘as a town centre how do we differentiate ourselves?’
“The success of the M&S outlet has been the catalyst to look at the whole of the high street.”
Colliers will target potential retailers and encourage them to open outlet stores similar to those at MacArthur Glen in Livingston.
Outlet stores offer brand name goods at a discount, sometimes up to 70% off the recommended retail price, by selling discontinued lines or fashion items from previous seasons.
The Paisley project is part-funded by the £1.8 million Scottish Government’s Town Regeneration Fund and involves doing up empty shops involves doing up empty shops with false fronts in a bid to highlight their potential to retailers.
Derek Mackay, leader of Ren-frewshire Council, said yesterday:
“We are doing all we can to revitalise Paisley and although retail is only part of what makes a vibrant town centre, it does play an important role in attracting people.
“Who knows, one day soon you might be able to buy an Armani suit in a Paisley High Street shop and for a fraction of the price you would normally pay in a designer store.”
With many shops in Paisley High Street having lain empty for several years, some for as long as seven years, the council has acted to help private landlords sell or lease their properties.
The council will foot the bill for the false shopfronts – £14,700 for the six-month project – and is offering support packages to landlords to fast track the process.
Speaking at the official launch yesterday, Stewart Stevenson, the Scottish Infrastructure Minister, said:
“I think the 2010s have every opportunity to be the decade of the high street.”
He added:
“Many of our high streets have been run down in favour of out-of-town shopping.
“Every town has to find what suits it, clearly Paisley is within a relatively short distance from Glasgow so they have to differentiate.”
