THE Scottish Government has been accused of snubbing plans to make Paisley a centre of excellence in creative industries.

Renfrewshire council leader Mark Macmillian proposed in October that Paisley should become Scotland's first town centre enterprise area and asked Finance Minister John Swinney to make that possible.

Scotland already has 15 similar schemes based on life science, renewables and manufacturing allowing business in in designated sectors to get financial incentives to encourage investment and growth.

But Business, Energy and Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing has refused to back the plan as he believes some firms would benefit from reduced business rates but not create new jobs.

Mr Macmillan said: "It is disappointing the government in Edinburgh don't seem to share my ambitions as to what Paisley could become.

"Renfrewshire Council is taking forward ambitious proposals to transform the area's future by using the town's outstanding heritage and cultural assets to drive a wide-ranging programme of regeneration over the next decade.

"My suggestion was for Holyrood to support that by creating a new category of enterprise area around creativity and culture and make Paisley the first of its kind.

"This scheme would have allowed business to make the most of Paisley's assets, such as our proud textile and architectural legacy, thriving events programme and the international reputation of the University of the West of Scotland.