This was a Major Partnership Project of Renfrewshire Council. Steven Thomson, Creative Producer of Outspoken Arts Scotland was seconded to the core bid team from April 2016-May2018.
ABOUT THE BID
As Scotland’s only bidding place, Paisley rediscovered its sense of pride and transformed its reputation in the process of bidding to be UK City of Culture 2021. The competition was run by the UK Govt’s Dept. of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It resulted in a higher profile for Paisley with unprecedented levels of coverage across Scotland, UK and the world. Paisley people, affectionately known as the Buddies, gained a new belief in their town again and confidence has brought many more visitors to
Despite losing out to Coventry, the journey to regenerate Renfrewshire through culture and heritage continues. Paisley’s bid was only ever one part of a bigger plan to change the town’s future. Major infrastructure investment will revitalise the economy and the town centre over the next decade, as a direct result of
Core Bid Team

- Jean Cameron – Bid Director
- Stuart McMillan – Bid Manager
- Margaret Scott – Engagement Manager
- Steven Thomson – Creative Producer
- Len Ward – Project Manager
- Mary Crearie – Strategic Lead (Director of Housing)
- Gerard McCleave – Bid Advisor
- Scott Taylor – Bid Advisor
- Amanda Moulson – Town Centre Events Manager
- Yvonne Farquhar – Policy Officer
- Dominique Maske – Project Officer
- Linzi Clark – Intern
- Nicola Canavan – Intern
- Christine Martin – Programmer
- Claire Guthrie – Secretary
- Natalie Orr – Admin Assistant
Paisley 2021 Partnership Board
- Sandra Black, Chief Executive, Renfrewshire Council
- Jean Cameron, Bid Director, Paisley 2021
- Dr Emilia Crighton, Head of Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- Audrey Cumberford, Principal, West College Scotland, and president, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce
- Councillor Eddie Devine (Labour)
- Chief Supt Jim Downie, Local Police Commander for Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Division of Police Scotland
- Councillor Neill Graham (Conservatives)
- Ian Henderson, Chair, Paisley First Business Improvement District
- Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes (SNP) chair, Renfrewshire Leisure
- Prof Tom Inns, Director of Glasgow School of Art
- Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive, Young Scot
- Craig Mahoney, Principal, University of the West of Scotland
- Sharon McAulay, Project Manager, STAR Project
- Councillor Eileen McCartin (Liberal Democrats)
- Councillor Iain Nicolson (SNP), Renfrewshire Council leader (chair)
- Ross Nimmo, Head of Planning & Development, Glasgow Airport
- Nick Shields, Director of Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service, Scottish Enterprise
- David Watt, Chief Executive, Arts and Business Scotland
- Philip Deverill – Creative Scotland
OUTPUTS
- Legacy Programme
- Cultural Infrastructure
- Knowledge Bank
FURTHER READING
http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/paisley