Bar boss says cheers for council grant
A popular bar which moved house to open in the heart of Paisley has a classy new look…thanks to a grant of thousands of pounds from Renfrewshire Council.
Hamishes’ Hoose landlord, Piero Pieraccini took advantage of the council’s Paisley Town Centre Property Improvement Grant to help pay for the modern eye-catching exterior and signage on the High Street property, which had lain empty for several years.
And the transformation has won praise from customers who are impressed with the makeover and also from other traders who may now follow in Piero’s footsteps and seek a grant from the council.
Well-known Hamishes’ Hoose recently re-located from underneath the railway bridge at 42 Old Sneddon Street, Paisley to bigger premises at 45 High Street where Buddies can enjoy great food and drink. And when it came to improving the property Piero was delighted to learn he qualified for the property improvement grant of £8,700 which has give the outside of the building a complete makeover.
He said: “The front of the premises certainly needed a lot of work done to it, as some of the wood was rotting and the railings in front of the pub windows were rusty. Getting the town centre improvement grant was a real help and without the funding from Renfrewshire Council, we wouldn’t have been able to make the place look as good as it does.”
Piero added: “As well as making the pub look great from the outside, it also improves the look of the High Street in general.
“I would urge every town centre business to take advantage of this grant funding and when their property looks good, it creates a positive image for their business and the town centre as a whole. “The council is doing their bit to help regenerate Paisley town centre and now we need other property owners to do the same.”
Another town centre business to get on their bike and take advantage of the Council’s property improvement grant is Thomsons Cycles, at 58 Causeyside Street.
The business received a welcome £10,000 grant and shop manager, Martin Johnston said: “The property had been empty for years when we moved in and the place was an eyesore.
“It’s crucial to have a good interior and exterior as it’s all about the customer experience when they come to your shop.
“People have commented that the shop is very impressive and we couldn’t have done as much as we did to the property if it wasn’t for the council grant.”
Martin added: “We have been telling other businesses about the improvement grants and it’s definitely something they should take advantage of. “It’s a great idea from the council to help make Paisley better looking.”
Renfrewshire Council leader, Mark Macmillan said: “There is money available to help town centre businesses and property owners improve their premises. “More than 90 per cent of property in Paisley town centre is privately owned. Everyone has to pull together and do their bit to revitalise Paisley and a good place to start is by keeping their property in good repair. “A town centre that looks the business has a better chance of doing the business.”
Property owners in Paisley town centre can get grant funding of 80 per cent of the improvement costs up to £10,000. Contact Renfrewshire Council’s planning department at pt@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0300 3000 144 or log on to www.renfrewshire.gov.uk for more information.