Posted by: jrb, Glasgow on 12:03pm Mon 4 Feb 08
Renfrewshire council have themselves to blame for retail businesses in the town centre leaving in their droves They allowed,arnotts and the co-op long established in the town to leave without offering some sort of package which would retain jobs,and a customer base.Braehead and now silverburn will undoubtely finish paisley town centre,A rent and rate free freeze for two of paisleys biggest stores may have been enough for them to reconsider closing.Are they now going all out to retain the existing stores in paisley by offering financial incentives to remain.
Renfrewshire council have themselves to blame for retail businesses in the town centre leaving in their droves They allowed,arnotts and the co-op long established in the town to leave without offering some sort of package which would retain jobs,and a customer base.Braehead and now silverburn will undoubtely finish paisley town centre,A rent and rate free freeze for two of paisleys biggest stores may have been enough for them to reconsider closing.Are they now going all out to retain the existing stores in paisley by offering financial incentives to remain.
Posted by: Brad, Glasgow on 12:16pm Mon 4 Feb 08
There's not much point in trying to bribe retailers to stay if the customers aren't coming. Paisley TC needs to find a new role as a neighbourhood centre - it needs more people living in and around it and using it for day-to-day retail and leiure needs. Braehead meant that Paisley's retail role was been knocked down a tier or two: it can't compete on equal terms. So it shouldn't try.
There are some moves afoot to promote this but the general squeeze on retail is seeing the weaker branches being pruned. Remedial action needs to be accelerated before the TC gets locked into a vicious spiral of (further) decline.
There's not much point in trying to bribe retailers to stay if the customers aren't coming. Paisley TC needs to find a new role as a neighbourhood centre - it needs more people living in and around it and using it for day-to-day retail and leiure needs. Braehead meant that Paisley's retail role was been knocked down a tier or two: it can't compete on equal terms. So it shouldn't try.
There are some moves afoot to promote this but the general squeeze on retail is seeing the weaker branches being pruned. Remedial action needs to be accelerated before the TC gets locked into a vicious spiral of (further) decline.
Posted by: jim, Glasgow on 12:22pm Mon 4 Feb 08
Paisley is much like Edinburgh most folk come through to Glasgow to shop,
Paisley is much like Edinburgh most folk come through to Glasgow to shop,
Posted by: Seymour Hope, Glasgow on 1:15pm Mon 4 Feb 08
I would say getting The Rangers shop and JJB ned clothing out of Paisley is no great loss. Paisley should have a St. Mirren Store and have its own identlty. Braehead and Silverburn have killed paisley and small town centres like Renfrew. Paisley nees to reinvent its self and offer an alternative to these places rather than try to copy. There is rich natural heritage in Paisley and this should be exploited.
I would say getting The Rangers shop and JJB ned clothing out of Paisley is no great loss. Paisley should have a St. Mirren Store and have its own identlty. Braehead and Silverburn have killed paisley and small town centres like Renfrew. Paisley nees to reinvent its self and offer an alternative to these places rather than try to copy. There is rich natural heritage in Paisley and this should be exploited.
Posted by: Seymour Hope, Glasgow on 1:21pm Mon 4 Feb 08
The loss of JJB (clothing for neds) and the Rangers store are no great loss. Paisley should have a St. Mirren store and its own identity. Braehead and Silverburn have killed the high streets of towns like Paisley and Renfrew. Instead of trying to compete Paisley needs to develop an attractive alternative to the Generic mall shops. The Heritae of paisley needs to be developed and promoted. The transport links also have to make it easier for people to park there (Yes the car is here to say)
The loss of JJB (clothing for neds) and the Rangers store are no great loss. Paisley should have a St. Mirren store and its own identity. Braehead and Silverburn have killed the high streets of towns like Paisley and Renfrew. Instead of trying to compete Paisley needs to develop an attractive alternative to the Generic mall shops. The Heritae of paisley needs to be developed and promoted. The transport links also have to make it easier for people to park there (Yes the car is here to say)
Posted by: Brad, Glasgow on 2:48pm Mon 4 Feb 08
Never heard that comparison made before!
Never heard that comparison made before!
Posted by: VikFem, renfrewshire on 5:04pm Mon 4 Feb 08
I don't believe Silverburn or Braehead have killed off Renfrew. Braehead is part of Renfrewshire therefore generates income for the area and does support many good causes within Renfrewshire. What does stop me going to Renfrew and also Braehead, and thinking on it, also to Glasgow, is the new road system in Renfrew. It's a nightmare and an accident waiting to happen. t was pushed for by Renfrewshire Council against the wishes of the people who'd have to live with it and it's turned into a very long, scary nightmare.
Paisley was dying anyway long before Braehead or Silverburn came to be. The only thing that is thriving is the university which even has turned it's back on Paisley by no longer being the University of Paisley: it's now the University of the West of Scotland. I think this speaks volumes. It's not that other places are commercially better than Paisley, it's an attitude of people and businesses not wanting to be associated with Paisley and given the lack of care Paisley seems to have been given over the years, it's not surprising. The Abbey, town hall library, museum (although last time I was there, the permanent exhibition on weaving, cotton mills, Paisley pattern, etc. had been mothballed) and cenotaph are nice but start to look at other places around the town and there's a lot of decay and complacency. Incidentally, the CO-OP hasn't closed down in Paisley. It did close for a short period, however it reopened, refurbished. Therefore the article isn't quite accurate.
Sorry this is such a long spiel but I'm from the area and I care.
I don't believe Silverburn or Braehead have killed off Renfrew. Braehead is part of Renfrewshire therefore generates income for the area and does support many good causes within Renfrewshire. What does stop me going to Renfrew and also Braehead, and thinking on it, also to Glasgow, is the new road system in Renfrew. It's a nightmare and an accident waiting to happen. t was pushed for by Renfrewshire Council against the wishes of the people who'd have to live with it and it's turned into a very long, scary nightmare.
Paisley was dying anyway long before Braehead or Silverburn came to be. The only thing that is thriving is the university which even has turned it's back on Paisley by no longer being the University of Paisley: it's now the University of the West of Scotland. I think this speaks volumes. It's not that other places are commercially better than Paisley, it's an attitude of people and businesses not wanting to be associated with Paisley and given the lack of care Paisley seems to have been given over the years, it's not surprising. The Abbey, town hall library, museum (although last time I was there, the permanent exhibition on weaving, cotton mills, Paisley pattern, etc. had been mothballed) and cenotaph are nice but start to look at other places around the town and there's a lot of decay and complacency. Incidentally, the CO-OP hasn't closed down in Paisley. It did close for a short period, however it reopened, refurbished. Therefore the article isn't quite accurate.
Sorry this is such a long spiel but I'm from the area and I care.
Posted by: Brad, Glasgow on 7:42pm Mon 4 Feb 08
So, if you don't go "to Renfrew and also Braehead, and thinking on it, also to Glasgow", VikFem, where DO you go?
So, if you don't go "to Renfrew and also Braehead, and thinking on it, also to Glasgow", VikFem, where DO you go?
Posted by: jonmac, Glasgow on 9:51pm Mon 4 Feb 08
Paisley can not compete against Braehead even though Renfrewshire CC enjoy the rates from it. So it has therefore got to have a different type of retail attractions and facilities. Being they have a university they should turn the place into a university town with specialist shops, lots of eating places and bars. Turn the hiugh street into an entertaining place with street cafes, deli's, restuarants, collectors shops,antique shops. iT has got to change its image. Cover the High St, make it special. Run tours with horse drawn carts around town, there is many places of interest. Sell the town, get an enterprising team in. Not the same fuddy duddies that are there now. They lack ideas and just collect there salary without imaginative input.
Paisley can not compete against Braehead even though Renfrewshire CC enjoy the rates from it. So it has therefore got to have a different type of retail attractions and facilities. Being they have a university they should turn the place into a university town with specialist shops, lots of eating places and bars. Turn the hiugh street into an entertaining place with street cafes, deli's, restuarants, collectors shops,antique shops. iT has got to change its image. Cover the High St, make it special. Run tours with horse drawn carts around town, there is many places of interest. Sell the town, get an enterprising team in. Not the same fuddy duddies that are there now. They lack ideas and just collect there salary without imaginative input.
Posted by: VikFem, renfrewshire on 11:25pm Mon 4 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Brad[/bold] wrote:
So, if you don't go "to Renfrew and also Braehead, and thinking on it, also to Glasgow", VikFem, where DO you go?[/quote] Hello Brad...I go to Tesco at Port Glasgow or Greenock..or the large Morrisons at Greenock. Greenock also has a Boots. There's also a WHSmith there, Body Shop, Thorntons, Woolworths (the one in Braehead closed recently), Marks and Spencers, Primark, as well as other shops. It mightn't be as 'classy' as Braehead or Silverburn but for what I need shops for, it suits them.The travelling is straightforward for me. The mess that is Renfrew really has put me off. I know there's a motorway but I don't like driving on them so I've found an alternative for myself. I hope that answers the question.
Brad wrote:
So, if you don't go "to Renfrew and also Braehead, and thinking on it, also to Glasgow", VikFem, where DO you go?
Hello Brad...I go to Tesco at Port Glasgow or Greenock..or the large Morrisons at Greenock. Greenock also has a Boots. There's also a WHSmith there, Body Shop, Thorntons, Woolworths (the one in Braehead closed recently), Marks and Spencers, Primark, as well as other shops. It mightn't be as 'classy' as Braehead or Silverburn but for what I need shops for, it suits them.The travelling is straightforward for me. The mess that is Renfrew really has put me off. I know there's a motorway but I don't like driving on them so I've found an alternative for myself. I hope that answers the question.
Posted by: David Bennie, Paisley on 1:10am Tue 5 Feb 08
In late 1980's the District Council and surrounding authorities fought tooth and nail against the privatisation of Clydeport by the then Tory Government who conveniently decided to fatten up the sell off by agreeing to give it the benefit of a planning consent for Braehead.
Renfrwewshire Councillors of all shades are now making the best of a bad situation by trying to turn around the town.
Personally I would create a level playing field by making parking free, unless its a traffic danger issue, the housing market is slowing so we can't expect this to regenerate key town centre sites. Why did we agree to a new St Mirren Stadium and yet another out of town supermarket to fund it to add to Morrisons Johnstone & Tesco Town Linwood?
Of course we could try to create a rather bohemian university town but has anyone actually tried standing among the junkies in the late night taxi ranks at Gilmour St or been asked by the jaikies in Witherspoons if its okay to drink the dregs from your pint glass?
So if we want more money spent in the town as Robert De Niro said its time to clear the streets of some of its low life. Their not proud hard working people of Paisley and are the one reason I would choose Glasgow City Centre for a night out every time....Another thing perhaps the Council should be asking is why our MSP for North Paisley needed campaign support from the Silverburn developer? I thought she is supposed to be on our side?
In late 1980's the District Council and surrounding authorities fought tooth and nail against the privatisation of Clydeport by the then Tory Government who conveniently decided to fatten up the sell off by agreeing to give it the benefit of a planning consent for Braehead.
Renfrwewshire Councillors of all shades are now making the best of a bad situation by trying to turn around the town.
Personally I would create a level playing field by making parking free, unless its a traffic danger issue, the housing market is slowing so we can't expect this to regenerate key town centre sites. Why did we agree to a new St Mirren Stadium and yet another out of town supermarket to fund it to add to Morrisons Johnstone & Tesco Town Linwood?
Of course we could try to create a rather bohemian university town but has anyone actually tried standing among the junkies in the late night taxi ranks at Gilmour St or been asked by the jaikies in Witherspoons if its okay to drink the dregs from your pint glass?
So if we want more money spent in the town as Robert De Niro said its time to clear the streets of some of its low life. Their not proud hard working people of Paisley and are the one reason I would choose Glasgow City Centre for a night out every time....Another thing perhaps the Council should be asking is why our MSP for North Paisley needed campaign support from the Silverburn developer? I thought she is supposed to be on our side?
Posted by: Brad, Glasgow on 6:24pm Tue 5 Feb 08
Hello VikFem, a very comprehensive answer, thank you!
Hello VikFem, a very comprehensive answer, thank you!
Posted by: David Bennie, Paisley on 12:53am Thu 7 Feb 08
Started evening course tonight in UWS various people on it from Glasgow, Hamilton, Kilmarnock etc; who had never been in the town before:-
1) lighting around University poor
2) quite menacing i thought for women
3)High Street mostly deserted poorly lit and threatening, various undesirables hanging about
4)For those who did not know the town they were very unsure of how to get back out again
5) Poor signposting to and from station
6) Had to accompany two course members to station so they would not get lost
7) Recommended they did not turn left upto Brommlands Street as I explained it had a 'bit of an edge to it'
8)Was unable to recommend any places they might wish to stop off for a coffee or a drink afterwards
9) Parking beside the University inadequate and again poorly lit at night, too many dark spots
10)No activity on pedestrianised section of High Street, perhaps worth thinking about allowing cafe bars in there to occupy vacant premises and get some activity lighting and buzz going.
11) Went to Perth last September to visit Scone Palace, never been there before, couldn't be bothered rushing back had awalk around the centre at night, didn't feel threatened in any way, nice street furniture, well lit,safe, spent about £30 quid in the Palace and £60 quid taking the famly for a curry...not really rocket science is it?
Started evening course tonight in UWS various people on it from Glasgow, Hamilton, Kilmarnock etc; who had never been in the town before:-
1) lighting around University poor
2) quite menacing i thought for women
3)High Street mostly deserted poorly lit and threatening, various undesirables hanging about
4)For those who did not know the town they were very unsure of how to get back out again
5) Poor signposting to and from station
6) Had to accompany two course members to station so they would not get lost
7) Recommended they did not turn left upto Brommlands Street as I explained it had a 'bit of an edge to it'
8)Was unable to recommend any places they might wish to stop off for a coffee or a drink afterwards
9) Parking beside the University inadequate and again poorly lit at night, too many dark spots
10)No activity on pedestrianised section of High Street, perhaps worth thinking about allowing cafe bars in there to occupy vacant premises and get some activity lighting and buzz going.
11) Went to Perth last September to visit Scone Palace, never been there before, couldn't be bothered rushing back had awalk around the centre at night, didn't feel threatened in any way, nice street furniture, well lit,safe, spent about £30 quid in the Palace and £60 quid taking the famly for a curry...not really rocket science is it?
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