LOCAL authorities across the West of Scotland united in a strong show of support for Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021.

The eight local authorities which form the Glasgow City Region joined in with two days of public demonstrations to show their support for the Paisley 2021 bid.

On Monday, August 15, a number of iconic and landmark buildings across the West, lit up in Paisley Pink.

The dazzling show of support included The SSE Hydro, Hamilton Town House, Barrhead Foundry, Titan Crane, Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock and Paisley Town Hall.

The symbolic show of support underlines the positive impact of Paisley winning the bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021 would have for the whole City Region.

The Paisley 2021 bid aims to show the breadth and depth of Renfrewshire’s cultural assets, value of its heritage and its potential for economic social and cultural regeneration.

Culture stimulates and reflects economic growth, social confidence and cohesion – objectives mirrored by the Glasgow City Region City Deal’s 26 projects which will be delivered across the three themes of; infrastructure, skills and employment, and innovation and business growth.

This message was further enforced when the Leaders from all eight City Region member authorities gathered in Glasgow City Chambers last week in a further show of support for the Paisley 2021 bid.

The eight member authorities are: East Dunbartonshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow City Council, Inverclyde Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Renfrewshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council.

Their joint aim is to create a Scottish powerhouse seen as one of Europe’s leading destinations of choice for residents, businesses, visitors and investors.

Paisley’s prominent bid to UK City of Culture in 2021 epitomises those strategic aims, as it celebrates its rich textiles heritage while looking forward to a future built on innovation, enterprise, talent and community.

Councillor Mark Macmillan, Leader of Renfrewshire Council, said: "We would like to thank our City Region partners for this significant show of support and their full backing of Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021."