A COMMITMENT of more than £1million is helping to bolster Paisley’s reputation as one of Scotland’s top destinations for culture and events, with a jam-packed programme planned for 2020.

A range of projects and collaborations are being supported by Future Paisley – a programme of economic, social and physical regeneration building on the work already done to use Paisley’s internationally-significant culture and heritage story to change its future.

Following the town’s bid to become 2021 UK City of Culture, Future Paisley, funded by Renfrewshire Council, earmarked more than £1m to invest in supporting cultural and events programming as part of a three-year package until 2022.

Some projects supported through this funding are now coming to fruition, including the first-ever Paisley Book Festival.

Supported through the Future Paisley programme and delivered by Renfrewshire Leisure, the 10-day event takes place from February 20-29 at various town centre venues, centred on the theme of Radical Voices and Rebel Stories – drawing on the Paisley Radicals of 1820 as inspiration.

Later this year, one of Paisley’s favourite sons, artist and writer John Byrne, will bring his new musical play Underwood Lane to Paisley Arts Centre, from June 25-28, for its world premiere, in partnership with Renfrewshire Leisure and Tron Theatre.

The play tells the tale of a young skiffle band trying to make it and is written in memory of Paisley musician Gerry Rafferty.

Leonie Bell, Future Paisley lead for Renfrewshire Council, said: “The quality of events and collaborations taking place in Paisley in 2020 demonstrates how culture is thriving in the town.

"Through Future Paisley, we are nurturing and supporting creativity in communities and opening up opportunities for everyone to benefit from the transformative power of culture.

“By working with partners, communities, artists and creative and cultural organisations, locally and nationally, we are making changes that will benefit everyone in Renfrewshire by supporting brilliant art and culture through a programme of events, festivals and collaborations.”

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of Renfrewshire Leisure, added: “This year offers so many opportunities for the people of Renfrewshire to enjoy and engage with a fantastic and diverse range of cultural and creative events.”

To find out more about the events taking place in Renfrewshire, visit www.paisley.is or www.renfrewshireleisure.com/whats-on.