IT was backed by Paolo Nutini, Gerard Butler and 25 saxophonists playing in tribute to its most famous son, Gerry Rafferty.
Now one of Scotland's largest towns is a step closer to a multi-million pound windfall after being shortlisted for the UK City of Culture title.
Paisley is the only Scottish entry, after Perth missed out, and will go head-to-head against Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea in its bid to win the accolade for 2021.
Jean Cameron, the Paisley 2021 director, called for the whole of Scotland to back the town’s campaign, saying that the title would bring an £170 million economic boost to the area and the equivalent of 4,500 jobs.
Ms Cameron said the town “wants the title and needs the title.”
“There’s never been a Scottish winner and we would be thrilled to be the first," she said.
“The work to date has already been really positive... it has taken awareness of our internationally-significant story to a new level and changed perceptions of the town.
“It has also brought a new sense of self-confidence to residents and shown them how the power of culture can be harnessed to change people’s lives for the better."
Perth, one of the 11 places bidding for the title which is conferred by the UK Government’s department of culture, expressed its disappointment but extended congratulations and support to Paisley.
Councillor Ian Campbell, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: "We always knew that our offer was different to those of the traditional UK City of Culture entries, and this is reflected in the shortlist, but our bid was pioneering.
"The issues we face may not be those of a large, post-industrial city, but what we have highlighted is that the challenges of the UK's small cities, towns and rural areas are no less significant.
"These are the challenges of improving transport and digital connectivity, overcoming social isolation, tackling a low-wage economy and retaining young talent: real issues, which are sometimes not immediately apparent."
He added: “I’m glad a Scottish contender is still in the running: congratulations to Paisley, which has the full support of the Perth2021 team. They are running a fantastic campaign and have done a great job of raising the profile of the area.”
Paisley's bid has included the creation of a £1m culture fund aimed at boosting the local creative scene.
Backing from cultural figures from the town has included singer Nutini, actor Butler, artist John Byrne and designer Pam Hogg. Rafferty's daughter said her father would also have backed the bid.
A proposed £42m revamp of Paisley museum and a new museum store and library is part of the plan to reinvent the town.
The current city of culture has shown how it can revitalise an area: in Hull, £30m was spent on events and £25m invested in revamping its city centre, including its art gallery and theatre. Local leaders have estimated an economic windfall of £1 billion in total for the city.
Ms Cameron said: “Paisley has taken its blows in the past, but we really believe we can tap into creative industry, that is a real future.
“Creativity is a great investment, and the bid taps into the town’s history of connection with the world.”
The judges will visit Paisley and hear its plans next month, before the bid leaders submit a second document on the proposal by the end of September.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson, chair of the Paisley 2021 Partnership Board, said: “For the judges to have shortlisted us is a major endorsement of our ambitions for Paisley and Renfrewshire – and we are in it to win it.
“I know local people will be absolutely thrilled at this news – we want to thank every one of them as they are the ones whose incredible contribution made it happen.
“Aside from hosting some of the world’s best performers and bringing more than a million people to Paisley in 2021, it would over the long term create thousands of new jobs, and allow us to attract massive investment.”
Phil Redmond, chair of the UK City of Culture panel, added: “The quality, commitment and enthusiasm that came across from the eleven bidders made deciding a shortlist to recommend to ministers as difficult as it was for the two previous UK City of Culture competitions.”
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