Dealers put the spoiler on our town’s image

Aug 13 2008 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

DRUG dealers and derelict buildings are tainting Paisley’s image and painting a negative picture for tourists, a new community council has warned.

Customers being mugged as they go shopping, anti-social behaviour and intimidation by neighbours are also making life a misery for some Buddies.

Paisley West and Central Community Council had a “lively” discussion about problems hitting the West End and the town centre.

Vice chairman John Wilby told the Paisley Daily Express: “There is a very strong feeling on these issues. There were shopkeepers and local retail people there, along with residents of the area.

“There were reports of customers being mugged, and it was felt that this affects business.

“There are several sites in Wellmeadow Street that reflect badly on the area.

“Paisley has so much to be proud of and attracts lots of visitors, but some of the derelict buildings give out the wrong message.”

The world famous Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church, on High Street, features pointed arches, intricate pinnacles and gargoyles.

Its Gothic redstone structure has been described as “the Baptist Cathedral of Europe” and its eye-catching tower – topped with a crown and spire – is an easily identifiable feature of Paisley’s skyline.

The historic Regal opened on November 26, 1934, closing in 1981 and the sale of the County Bingo company to Gala Bingo triggered The Regal’s closure on March 5, 2006.

The church attracts thousands of tourists to Paisley annually yet, as Mr Wilby put it: “On the other side of the road is the old Regal building, which has trees growing out of it.”

Addiction problems, alcohol abuse, run-down properties which greet international students of the University and the area’s crime rate were also discussed by the re-established community council.

Paisley Inspector Robin Young was guest speaker at the meeting and he said local issues are “partly fuelled by national and international drug trafficking.”

He told community councillors more officers will be out on the streets when the benefits of extra government funding and efficiency savings kick in.

Inspector Young encouraged residents to report incidents in the neighbourhood because this will, ultimately, lead to arrests.

A statement from the community council said they accept there is no “quick fix” and that it will take some time for the results of efforts from the community, police and other agencies to filter through.

Members also stressed that the poorly maintained buildings “conveyed a very bad impression of neglect to the large number of overseas tourists and students visiting the town”.

Families and business in the West End of the town have already told of their fears and how junkies are making their lives a misery.

l The next community council meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 3 at 7.30pm in a venue still to be decided.