Paisley museum development 'forcing businesses to close'

A Paisley cafe owner is telling Clyde News the closure of the town's museum and library for a multi-million-pounds renovation has left them on their knees.

Jennifer MacKay runs Malatso Cafe on the High Street and four of her neighbours have already been forced to close their doors because of the drop in footfall.

She said: "There is no reason for anyone to walk up this part of the town now. Yes, if you want to come for lunch you can walk up but apart from that there is no other attraction, you can see it is completely dead. This is what is is like all of the time.

"The tiny small things Renfrewshire Council said they were going to do, they have done, but that's two things out of a 15 point list. It's really not good enough, they've really not stepped up and Paisley First have been really slow off the mark as well.

"If it carries on the way it's going, there will be no businesses left down here when the musuem reopens in 2022. A year's time you could maybe try and hold on as much as you can - use your savings... beg, steal and borrow. But three years is just far too long.

"Regeneration needs to be done and we understand that but there has to be support. We can't just be left to rot up here.

"All these shops round here will all be empty. So, you'll have a super duper museum opened up and nothing round about it."

A council spokesperson said: “We sympathise with the situation at Deli Malatso and have been in regular contact as well as working with a number of local businesses in the town centre and Paisley First to support them through a period of significant investment in the town centre.

“We recognise the importance of maintaining good relationships with businesses across Renfrewshire and our senior officers meet with traders regularly.

“We are currently investing £100million in our town centre to increase footfall and bring new visitors in to the town as well as £5million in a scheme to enhance our buildings and shop fronts.

“We recognise the impact on local traders and following feedback, earlier this summer introduced our Spend Local campaign to encourage residents and people who work in the town centre to make use of all the great local businesses in Renfrewshire. This is in addition to a parking pilot scheme that offers three free hours to shoppers coming in to the town.

“We have also reviewed our hugely successful town centre events programme so that later this year, our Halloween and Christmas lights festivities will incorporate the top end of Paisley High Street. Our festive programme last year alone delivered a £3.5m economic boost to the town with more than double the number of visitors coming into the town to spend their money.

“We will continue to work closely with local businesses by providing practical help and advice."

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