IN THE first part of a week-long series focusing on Paisley, JONATHAN PAISLEY looks at the challenges facing the town centre.

IN THE first part of a week-long series focusing on Paisley, JONATHAN PAISLEY looks at the challenges facing the town centre.

BRUISED after losing an uneven fight with ultra-modern out of town shopping malls, Paisley is reinventing itself - by turning back the clock.

Large parts of the town centre could soon be a conservation area in a bid to access millions of pounds worth of funding.

The latest move would give retailers and homeowners the chance to apply for grants to spruce up shop units and tenements and make Renfrewshire's capital a more desirable place to live and shop.

It's part of a 10-year strategy to revive the historic town, which has been badly hit by the success of Braehead, Silverburn, Glasgow Fort, and Buchanan Galleries.

Retailers have reported a 50% slump in trade over the last decade and To Let signs clutter the High Street.

Council leader Derek Mackay said: "Some of it was due to economic circumstance at the time and changing market trends but mistakes were made.

"Road restrictions cut off the heart of Paisley. Drivers were rerouted round the town, rather than through its centre.

"Opening up access, will show off our assets whether it's the Abbey, Coats Memorial Church or the other beautiful architecture that Paisley is blessed with.

"We have to put Paisley back on the map. If we get this right, we will have a town that is vibrant, dynamic and a very positive place to be again."

The conservation area plan would see the protected zone extended from Paisley Cross and Oakshaw, at the back of the High Street and which boast historic churches and cobbled streets, through to Causeyside Street, Gordon Street, Orchard Street and Canal Street train station.

The extra powers would ensure buildings and public spaces are better maintained and allow planning chiefs to control alterations to shop-fronts.

It's understood around £1.5million has already been earmarked for the town, if Paisley's application to the lottery backed Townscape Heritage Initiative for conservation status is successful.

Jim Dewar, project director for Paisley town centre, said: "Some of the buildings in and around the centre are very attractive but look tired.

"Twenty years ago these properties would have been full of people making a contribution to the town's economy.

"There are now less desirable and have a high turnover of tenants. Extending the conservation area, will open up a whole new area of funding and attract people back."

Two key sites stand testament to the town's retail slump.

YVONNE ARCHIBALD, 24 from Brodie Park: Paisley has a nice town centre, with great architecture and I like the pedestrian areas. If there is one thing the place lacks, it is a nice park or grassy area in the heart of the town.	GARY CARLTON, 26 from Seedhill: The police and council need to work harder to make the place safer. People always get approached by beggars. No wonder they prefer Braehead and places like that, where you do not get the same hassle.	SHARON TAYLOR, 46 from Mosspark: Paisley needs more boutique type shops and a wider choice of stores.The town centre needs to offer more variety than Braehead or Silverburn, which have all the same names.	JOHN COXHILL, 68 from Ralston: There is nothing for young people to do in the town centre anymore. Paisley had seven cinemas, but they have all gone.	REBECCA GALBRAITH, 19 from Paisley: There needs to be more things going on in the evenings to give the place a bit of life during the week.

The former Arnotts store, opposite the Town Hall, has been boarded up for more than four years, while the huge Littlewoods store in the High Street has been empty since 2006.

Mr Dewar said: "There has been an obvious decline in retail.

"We need to accept the market is shrinking and concentrate on quality not quantity.

"Littlewoods is our most visible problem. It's like two missing front teeth."

RENFREWSHIRE Council failed with a bold £3.25m bid for the derelict Arnotts site earlier this year.

Owners Asda turned down the approach but it's understood a deal with a luxury housing developer is close.

Members of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce have commissioned a new prospectus to market the Littlewoods site, highlighting the ways the unit could be subdivided in a fresh bid to spark interest from retailers.

Long term, there are plans to move the Central Library from the site of Paisley Museum to the Town Hall and create a Borders-style book, CD and DVD lending resource.

The town centre aims to attract more cultural events and open air markets to County Square and officials from the University of the West of Scotland are hunting for a possible site for a 600 capacity complex of student flats.

Mr Dewar added: "Paisley is a university town but it doesn't have the feel of a university town.

"We need more people to live in the town centre and spend their time and money here.

"All of our partners are determined to create a positive atmosphere around the town to attract private investment."

Marks and Spencer - viewed as the anchor store of the High Street - sparked concern last month by announcing plans to turn its Paisley branch into an M&S Outlet, selling discounted stock from past ranges.

But town centre manager Amanda Moulson said: "We are viewing it as a positive thing. M&S plans to invest £2m in the store and that shows a long-term commitment.

"Crucially, the new store will offer something different than what's on offer at Braehead or Silverburn."

Police, retailers and council chiefs are also working to together to boost public safety.

Ms Moulson added: "Paisley is really the capital city of Renfrewshire and it needs to be looked after properly."