Commenting on Paisley’s unsuccessful bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021, Arts & Business Scotland Chief Executive David Watt said:
“This is obviously disappointing news but there is still a fantastic opportunity to harness the momentum and collective good will built up over the period of Paisley’s UK City of Culture campaign. In particular, many local businesses have already shown an active commitment to get behind the bid and to work in partnership with the local arts and heritage communities to deliver an outstanding programme of cultural activity in Paisley. Many elements of that programme could still happen. Arts & Business Scotland’s Culture & Business Fund Scotland stands ready to offer match funding to local businesses supporting local cultural projects in and around Paisley. We will be continuing discussions with local businesses and cultural organisations in the months ahead with a view to hopefully making that happen.”
