RENFREWSHIRE’S Provost has insisted she is determined to put Paisley back on the map by backing efforts to bring a cinema to the town.

Plans to develop a cinema and theatre complex called Baker Street on the site of the former Arnotts store were originally unveiled by Paisley Community Trust (PCT) back in 2017.

But last year it emerged new social housing was to be built on the site instead by Park Lane Developments LLP, leading the trust to withdraw its proposals.

But Gary Kerr, chairman and founding trustee of PCT, has said bringing a cinema to Paisley is still the charity’s number one priority.

And Mr Kerr said the trust is in the processing of reviewing three potential High Street sites for the cinema, which he has previously said will be much like the popular Grovesnor in Ashton Lane, Glasgow.

Provost Lorraine Cameron said she believes a cinema could transform the town.

She said: “I am looking forward to getting behind trying to get a cinema back in Paisley.

“I want to support the Paisley Development Trust in any way I can.

“I want to put Paisley and Renfrewshire back on the map because it is an area which has so much to offer.

“I really think a cinema could make a difference.

“Alongside the development of the town hall and museum over the next year or so, I am looking forward to supporting the trust in this mission.”

Mr Kerr said the ambitions and plans of PCT aligned closely with that of Renfrewshire Council, which has vowed to continue working with the trust.

And PCT is also now leading on a Regional Screen Scotland project entitled A Cinema Near You, which aims to improve access to screen and cinema provision across the country.

Mr Kerr said despite the hurdle of having to move away from their preferred site, the cinema is still at their heart of their plans and PCT hoped to produce a feasibility plan for a High Street site “very soon”.

He added: “The cinema project is still at the forefront of our plans. That has never gone away.

“It is extremely encouraging to have the support of the Provost and we do seem to be in a position of alignment with the council.

“The site where the council decided to put social housing up was our preferred site but having taken advice we made a concious decison to move away from that site and we are now looking at having a more direct impact on the High Street.

“We are now looking at three High Street sites and if we get it right we will have a feasibility plan we can reveal very soon.”

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