A DELEGATION has been on a fact finding mission to establish whether Paisley pattern could emulate the global success of Harris Tweed.

The group from Renfrewshire travelled to the Western Isles to study how Paisley could make better use of the worldwide appeal of the famous designs and the town’s weaving legacy.

They met with bosses at the Harris Tweed Association, the body which under an Act of Parliament oversees the manufacture of, and issues the official seal of approval to, all products sold as Harris Tweed.

Council leader Mark Macmillan said: “Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021 is taking place as part of a wider push to transform our future by making the most of our internationally-significant heritage and cultural assets.

“Of course the Paisley Pattern sits close to the top of that list – not many places are fortunate enough to have a globally-recognised brand carrying their name, but the bid offers a chance to look at new ways to make the most of that iconic imagery.

“With that in mind, we visited the Western Isles to study how Harris Tweed is produced and marketed – and to see whether there is anything from their model we can apply to the Paisley Pattern.

“Currently Harris Tweed is exported to more than 50 countries, is used by elite fashion houses and designers, and is one of the biggest sources of employment on the islands, so there is a real international success story we can learn from.

“In doing so we are building on fascinating historic links between the islands – the skills of the Paisley weavers helped establish Harris Tweed in the first place, now we want to learn from the legacy our town helped create.”

For more information on Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021, visit www.paisley2021.co.uk