A story of two sides here. Paisley seen through the lens photographed for a range of commissions between 2016 and 2022. The images here touch on the essence of the city’s architectural and cultural assets and the ability of strategic planning and cultural revival to reposition the town centre, post covid and (as in many places) in light of under utilised and disjointed high streets.
Paisley’s rich architectural heritage has been highlighted in recent years through successive conservation and education programmes and the town centre is adorned by beautiful buildings such as the art deco Russell Institute, Paisley Abbey, The Victorian Oakshaw Trinity Church, and the Gothic Revival styled Thomas Coats Memorial Church. In 2016 I photographed many of these gems for Renfrewshire Council in support of the city’s bid for City of Culture 2021.
Many of these fine buildings have been repurposed through ambitious and well delivered renewal programmes that have spurred further initiatives and visioning to reimagine the town and attract investment and relocation to the area, whilst addressing neglect and the demise of traditional high street dynamics.
Revisiting in 2018 as part of Doors Open Day event, I led a photography workshop looking at some of the key sites in the Town Centre, and returned again in 2022 for a photo essay in Urban Realm Magazine on the towns future vision, and the potential to unlock economic, social, and cultural transformation.
