FOR more than 200 years it has boasted the title of Scotland's largest town. But now Paisley has lost her crown to the country's oldest New Town - East Kilbride.
By Catriona Stewart and Louise Mukherji
FOR more than 200 years it has boasted the title of Scotland's largest town. But now Paisley has lost her crown to the country's oldest New Town - East Kilbride.
Following the explosion in the textile trade in the early 19th century, Paisley has been the town with the highest population in Scotland.
But the latest figures show East Kilbride just pips the Renfrewshire town by a margin of 27 people.
East Kilbride councillor Christopher Thomson says the accolade of Scotland's biggest town is well-deserved.
He claims the town's bright future has been luring families to the area - boosting EK's population to 74,667 compared with Paisley's 74,640.
Mr Thomson said: "Residents are proud of what we have achieved in East Kilbride.
"For a new town we have had a lot of successes but these are due to the people who live here, who have helped attract businesses by their dedication and ability to work hard.
"I can't confirm names at the moment, but we have several new businesses who will be moving to the town, giving employment opportunities to local people."
With easy transport links to Glasgow, Edinburgh and England, EK, which celebrated her 60th birthday in 2007, has attracted big-name businesses such as Rolls Royce and Coca Cola.
And local firms are helping buck the economic trend, such as sandwich firm Pronto Fresh who have attracted a £1million deal from supermarket chain Aldi.
It has also doubled its workforce in the last year and expanded its factory.
Ultimo underwear millionaire Michelle Mone has also chosen to have build her headquarters in East Kilbride.
She said: "East Kilbride is a great town. Our headquarters are located a stone's throw from the centre, so we benefit from everything the area has to offer - a bustling town centre, gorgeous countryside and easy access to Glasgow.
"There has been a huge amount of redevelopment in the area recently, it's easy to see why people would want to make East Kilbride their home and set up business in the area.
"It's a fantastic base for business, a great place to live, work, shop and play."
Education has undergone an overhaul in the town.
Every East Kilbride secondary school has been knocked down and rebuilt while the same plan is being rolled out for the primary schools.
South Lanarkshire College is based in the town.
EK is also a hit for sport with the John Wright Sport Centre, the municipal golf courses at Torrance House and Langlands and the Dolan Baths.
In fact, the town has been picked to help host the International Children's Games in 2011.
Social housing is currently undergoing a revamp with 2,500 homes taking part in the Home Happening scheme, where each house is fitted out with a new kitchen and bathroom.
WHAT THE LOCALS THINK | ||||
 Frank Edison, 53, unemployed:"There have been so many changes to the town some good, and some bad. I've lived here my whole life and don't see myself moving." |  Andy Paterson, 42, area HR manager:"I've lived here for five years after moving from Newton Mearns. It's just more accessible. It's fantastic for kids with all the leisure facilities and of course, the shopping centre." |  Elaine McDonald, 58, runs kilt shop in the village:"I'm originally from England and I think the lifestyle up here is just better in general. People are friendlier and the old traditional scene is still appreciated." |  Shelley McDonald Neary, 25, works in kilt shop:"I like the fact that people here have embraced the new changes but still respect the history of the town. I see that every day at my work in the kilt shop." |  Darren Hempsy, 18, student:"The shops in East Kilbride are great. I go a lot with friends for something to eat or we'll go to the cinema, so it's great for young people." |
The South Lanarkshire town has also nutured a host of celebrities.
Lorraine Kelly cut her teeth on a local newspaper. She said: "East Kilbride is a terrific place to live.
"My mum and dad still live there. I have fond memories of my teenage years there growing up safe and happy."
Taggart's Blythe Duff, singer Roddy Frame, football legend Ally McCoist and Red Road actress Kate Dickie also come from the town.
Polo Mint City, as it is sometimes called due to its famously high number of roundabouts, was also home to Hollywood actor John Hannah - who famously criticised EK as she celebrated her 60th birthday.
The unchivalrous Rebus star said at the time: "Over the past 20 years I think it has deteriorated beyond recognition.
"The streets are poor and shoddy-looking.
"Culturally there's not really that much going on. It seems to me there's not much for young people to do but drink."
But Benny Martin, Cultural Services Manager at South Lanarkshire Council, argues that East Kilbride is the arts and culture hub of Lanarkshire as it boasts Calderglen Country Park, Hunter House Museum and the annual outdoor arts festival Art Burst.
Calderglen brought more than half a million visitors to East Kilbride last year and features everything from wallabies to meerkats.
Benny said: "East Kilbride is a hub for cultural activities and it develops year on year. The town has a strong arts and cultural identity and is the hub of Lanarkshire.
"Calderglen attracted more than 600,000 visitors while East Kilbride Arts Centre generates a great buzz for its performances and classes."
In the 1960s East Kilbride was named as a New Town along with Irvine, Glenrothes, Livingston and Cumbernauld.
The town is set to spruce up its image even more with the council rubber-stamping a £400million redevelopment of the town centre.
It will see the demolition of the concrete Civic Centre and Hunter Health Centre and the construction of new buildings.
A new 1000-seat theatre and 500-seat civic hall are planned in the move to create a new museum, new arts centre and a new town square.
The town also boasts Scotland's largest undercover shopping centre - covering 1.2million square feet and pulling in more than 300,00 visitors each week.
Andy Bradley, Centre Director, said: "This is fantastic news and confirms the town's position as the top place to live, work and shop in Scotland."
But East Kilbride also has challenges ahead - Somerfield has announced plans to close its delivery warehouse while Rolls Royce have cut workers to a four day week.
But Councillor John Anderson says despite the problems, the town will pull together.
John married an East Kilbride girl and has been living in the town for 31 years. His children grew up in East Kilbride and now his grandchildren are being raised there too.
He said: "We have low crime rates in East Kilbride, which is important for families moving to the area.
"However, there's still room for improvement. We have the longest waiting list for social housing in South Lanarkshire so there's a need for more social housing."
But Paisley bosses have hit back at the news, saying their town is still second to none.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay, who also chairs Paisley Vision, said: "East Kilbride has done well in making the most of the advantages it has enjoyed as a new town in terms of public funding and land space for development.
"But a town isn't just defined by its population size but by its history, culture, tradition, sporting achievements, architectural heritage and shared sense of community.
"Paisley is second to none in towns of our size based on those comparisons."
