Article Source: Paisley 2021
Last Updated: 6 December 2017 16:13
The winner of the 2021 title will be announced live on BBC’s The One Show on Thursday evening from current host Hull.
Paisley is the only Scottish place - and first-ever town - to make the shortlist for the 2021 title, awarded every four years by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, along with Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea.
And the town has seen an outpouring of best wishes – with a DCMS-endorsed social media focus on Paisley generating a total reach of almost 300,000 people from the Paisley 2021 accounts in just 48 hours on Monday and Tuesday.
There was also backing from cultural, political and media heavyweights including broadcaster and former director of the British Museum Neil MacGregor, who said: “I think it is a credible candidate for the award, and I hope it wins.”
There was also support from former Downing Street director of communications Alastair Campbell – who has multiple connections to the town – and said: “Creativity and spirit remain intact in Paisley and the UK City of Culture bid has captured this.”
The town’s bid is part of a wider plan to transform its future using its internationally-significant heritage and cultural story as the one-time home of the world’s thread industry and the globally-recognised design icon, the Paisley Pattern.
And Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron has sent a final message to supporters ahead of the decision.
She said: "We’ve had some fantastic support in the past few days – as we have throughout the bid – and we thank everyone who has joined Team Paisley for this massive moment in our history.
“The two years since Paisley launched its UK City of Culture 2021 bid have been a wonderful journey and it’s been an honour to have been part of it.
"The bid has already changed Paisley for the better - taking our profile to new levels, raising awareness of our unique and overlooked stories, transforming the town’s reputation, and giving a sense of self-confidence back to a town which has suffered many blows in recent years.
"And it’s been a grassroots mass movement. People throughout Paisley and beyond have united behind a shared vision for the town and defined what culture means to them.
"Put simply, there is nothing with greater scope to transform Paisley's future than winning this title, and the economic and social legacy it will leave.
“It will harness the power of culture to improve health, well-being and life chances, and will change lives in some of Scotland's most deprived communities.
“Having been in Hull this week for the final presentation to DCMS we’ve seen at first-hand the massive investment which has flowed in ahead of their year in the spotlight and the enthusiasm local people have for being UK City of Culture hosts.
"While Paisley can and will use its unique selling points to drive new footfall and make the town a key destination for visitors, events and creative industry no matter what happens, the boost from hosting the 2021 title will turbocharge our journey.
"With an international airport on our doorstep and major investment in our town centre and historic venues confirmed, we will be ready to host a party in 2021 to which everyone is invited - and a warm Buddie welcome is guaranteed.
"We send our best wishes to our friends in our fellow bidding places and we thank DCMS for giving us this platform to show why we matter to Scotland, the UK and the world.”
It is estimated Paisley’s 2021 year could bring a £176m economic boost and create and sustain more than 4,700 jobs over a ten-year period.
Since Paisley's bid launched in 2015, more than 34,000 people - almost equivalent to half the town's population - have engaged in conversations around it.
The bid has also been backed by more than 200 businesses, including big names such as Glasgow International Airport, global drinks giant Diageo and the world's largest industrial thread manufacturer Coats PLC.
Renfrewshire Council has also confirmed a £46m investment in venues and town centre infrastructure to get the town ready to host, while the Scottish Government has confirmed financial support if Paisley wins the title.
The young women of Wallace High School will have the support of an old hand when they attempt to make history next week at Hampden Park.
READ MOREThe Go Forth Stirling team are spearheading a drive to clean up the city’s streets and improve the environment with a series of litter-picking sessions. The first one is Saturday 11th May.
READ MORETop Dogs is back! Dog lovers invited to come and have a fun day out with their four-legged family members.
READ MORESterling Home and Woody want to bring people together at the Tillicoultry store on Thursday 9th May to celebrate the new Woody pizza oven launching across all stores and online.
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 MOREStirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations got underway in style in the spring sunshine last Friday (26 April) as partners came together to launch an exciting year-long programme of events.
READ MOREEnvironmental charity FEL Scotland is celebrating five years of its school-based active travel hubs, marking a significant milestone for the innovative education programme.
READ MOREEnvironmental charity FEL Scotland is leading the charge against climate change with the launch of Forth Valley & the National Park Climate Action Hub.
READ MOREThe Thomas Graham Library in Strathblane, which opened last year, is to have its first Art Exhibition on 11th and 12th May.
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 brand new artwork that celebrates Stirling’s people and its history will be officially unveiled in the city centre today for the launch of Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations.
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 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 MOREStirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MOREStirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
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 MOREStirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MOREFamilies have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MORE