Latest news with #Paisley-based
Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
NHS bosses say previous proposals for new Paisley Health Centre under review
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde previously said Paisley was one of three communities which should benefit from a new health and primary care hub. A new Paisley health centre is being considered as part of a wider review of services in Greater Glasgow, NHS chiefs have confirmed. The town centre health hub was first mooted in 2019 when Paisley was identified by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) as one of three communities which should benefit from a new health and primary care hub to house GP surgeries and other specialities. The other two communities – Parkhead in Glasgow's East End and Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire – have had their mulit-million medical centres built. However, in a statement issued to the Paisley Daily Express this week, the health board said the Paisley proposal would now be considered against a host of competing demands. A spokesperson for NHSGGC said: 'A previous proposal for a new Paisley Health Centre, which would bring together a number of primary care services, was affected by the national pause on NHS capital projects, with insufficient funding available for it to be progressed. 'We are currently refreshing our primary care strategy which will revisit the prioritisation of our sites across all six health and social care partnerships. 'This review will inform our priorities going forward should further capital investment become available from the Scottish Government.' The Paisley-based MSP Neil Bibby said there was a strong case for a new health hub in the town centre. The Labour West Scotland MSP said: 'I know countless people struggle to get GP appointments in Paisley when they need them. 'This isn't the fault of doctors and their teams – there simply isn't the capacity locally. That's why a new NHS health centre in Paisley would be a fantastic and much-needed addition to our town. 'There is clear support for extra health and social care provision in Scotland's largest town, which could not only help relieve pressure on local surgeries but the Royal Alexandra Hospital, too, by allowing more local people to access the care they need. 'This proposal must be properly explored without delay, and I will do all I can to encourage NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Scottish Government to progress this.' The news comes weeks after Beyond Retail reaffirmed its desire to host a medical centre within its transformation of the Paisley Centre. The owners of the shopping mall are progressing plans to transform it into a mixed-use development with housing, retail units, a hotel and health hub. The former Allders Department store has specifically been identified as a possible home for a health centre. Richard Ford, partner at Reith Lambert – which manages the Paisley Centre on behalf of Beyond Retail, said: 'Beyond Retail remains committed to delivering a much-needed, state-of-the-art health and community hub within the former Allders department store. 'This hub is a key element of our transformational development, which will bring millions of pounds of institutional investment into Paisley town centre. 'The project will also include vibrant new residential accommodation, accessible retail space, and a globally recognised hotel partner — all set within a high-quality public realm. 'We will continue to work closely with Renfrewshire Council, the Scottish Government, and other stakeholders to bring this vision to life.' Beyond Retail completed the purchase of the Paisley Centre in November 2020 and later took ownership of the Marks & Spencer High Street unit after M&S confirmed its relocation from the town centre.
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Plans to axe Paisley police station shelved but future remains 'under review'
The facility on Mill Street will now be subject to the 10-year Estates Masterplan review. Plans to find a new police station for Paisley cops have been kicked into the long grass 18 months after chiefs announced proposals to close Mill Street station. Police Scotland has confirmed it has no active plans to relocate officers from the town-centre building which is deemed no longer 'fit for purpose'. The news comes just days after the force said it will dispose of the town's Ferguslie police station, which officers vacated in September last year. Both Mill Street and Ferguslie Park were listed among 29 police stations across Scotland which management said in October 2023 were no longer fit for purpose and should be closed. It confirmed in January 2024 that it was looking at sharing space with a partner agency such as Renfrewshire Council. But a spokesperson confirmed no such agreement had been made and the Mill Street site is now being reviewed as part of the 10-year Police Scotland Estates Masterplan – which has identified neighbouring Greenock police station as a priority. The Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'The future of Paisley police station is currently under review as part of the estates masterplan. 'We recognise the need for a local policing service for the people of Paisley and its surrounding towns and a police presence in the area will continue. 'We are committed to creating an estate that is best for our officers and staff, meets our operational requirements and supports for the communities we serve. 'Until a replacement solution is identified, Police Scotland will make any necessary repairs to the current station in Paisley to ensure it continues to meet health and safety requirements.' The estates masterplan outlines a complete new model for policing going forward. It would see frontline police officers based in 'deployment hubs' from where they will collect their cars and equipment before starting shifts in the community. Individual communities would then each have a community policing base or touch-down point. This could be anything from a drop-in at a community centre to a retained police station, depending on need. But Neil Bibby MSP said Police Scotland must commit to a dedicated police station in Scotland's biggest town. The Paisley-based MSP for West Scotland said: 'I have been clear from the outset that the closure of the Mill Street Police HQ would be completely unacceptable unless it was replaced on a like-for-like basis, which included 24/7 public counter access, a CID base and a town-centre location. 'Clearly, underinvestment from the Scottish Government has driven the closure of Ferguslie Park station and is preventing a new or revamped police station in Paisley town centre too. 'Meanwhile, the SNP government is spending £1 billion on a new Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow after costs for that project have spiralled out of control. 'The police are doing the best job they can in difficult circumstances but aren't getting the support they need and the people of Paisley are paying the price for the SNP's incompetence and wrong priorities.' The Paisley Daily Express revealed in March 2024 how police chiefs spent more than £350,000 upgrading facilities at Mill Street police station before earmarking it for closure. Thousands had been spent addressing leaks in the 1980s prefmises, with serious leaks reported in the roof, radiators and toilets, while electrical issues were also a major concern, with money spent on lighting, air conditioning and water and fire risk assessments. Outlining the reasons for the disposal of the similarly dilapidated Ferguslie police station, Divisional Commander, chief superintendent Rhona Fraser said: 'Ferguslie Park is two miles from Paisley police station and three miles from Johnstone police station. 'Maintaining three buildings so close together is not necessary for operational requirements or financially sustainable. 'By merging resources, we can ensure our focus remains on delivering frontline policing and enhancing community safety, rather retaining underutilised buildings. 'Disposing of a building does not mean a withdrawal from the community. 'It is a key step in our estate masterplan, modernising and investing in police facilities to better support the needs of modern policing. 'Our commitment remains the same, with officers continuing to provide a visible and high-quality service.'
Scotsman
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
HPI: Majority of jobs lost as Paisley firm goes bust after 40 years
A total of 22 employees from the Paisley-based firm have been made redundant. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Scottish company has gone into administration after more than 40 years in business, with dozens of jobs lost. Hospital Pipeline Installations Limited (HPI), a medical gas pipeline installation and servicing specialist, was founded in 1984 with its headquarters based in Paisley. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A leading designer and installer of medical, dental, laboratory and industrial gas pipelines, the firm also provided repair and maintenance services with clients across a number of sectors, including several NHS Health Boards. Blair Milne and James Fennessey, partners with Azets, have been appointed as joint administrators. At its peak, HPI had a turnover of approximately £3 million and employed 25 staff. However, despite the efforts of directors, due to a downturn in trade, rising operating costs and low margin contracts - all of which contributed to recent losses and cash flow problems - the decision to place the business into administration was made. A total of 22 employees from the company, which also has an office in Rochdale, have been made redundant with three retained in order to assist with the administration process and safeguard assets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Paisley-based firm placed into administration after 'mounting creditor pressure' Commenting, Blair Milne said: 'HPI was a highly regarded specialist in the field of medical gas pipeline installation and maintenance, providing an essential service to the medical sector, including hospitals and dental practices across the UK. The business was suffering from a number of operational and financial challenges and was coming under mounting creditor pressure. 'The Directors sought professional advice on their options and ultimately concluded that the Company should be placed into administration.' He added that administrators would be focused on providing staff affected by redundancy with support, including liaising with the Redundancy Payments Office and employment support organisations such as PACE He said: 'We will now focus on assisting the employees with their claims for redundancy and other entitlements and on marketing the Company's assets for sale. The joint administrators would encourage interested parties to contact the Glasgow office of Azets as soon as possible.'
The National
02-05-2025
- Health
- The National
Jobs lost as food delivery charity closes branch in Scottish city
Food Train has written to the 150 residents aged 65 and over to whom its volunteers deliver shopping every week, notifying them that their final deliveries will be at the end of May. It comes after Renfrewshire Health and Social Partnership (HSCP) decided to withdraw funding for the charity in this financial year. Redundancy consultation with the charity's three members of staff in Paisley is also underway. READ MORE: Scottish ministers approve plan for new wind farm and battery storage site Group leaders say they have "spent months" exploring ways in which services for its members in the area - almost half of whom are aged over 80 - could be saved. This included calling on the HSCP to reverse its decision or consider other ways in which its work could be supported. Alan Dalziel, Food Train's Paisley-based chair, expressed his "disappointment" at the decision. He said: "The unfortunate reality is that, without Renfrewshire HSCP's financial support, our services cannot continue. "Closure is a heartbreaking but unavoidable decision that our board was forced to take. "We thank the Renfrewshire branch's dedicated volunteers for their incredible contributions and our hardworking staff who so often went the extra mile. "We are extremely disappointed for them and our amazing members that we have not been able to find another way to continue operating locally. "The services Food Train provides are a lifeline. We know our members will be upset and concerned about what closure means for them. "Our priority now is helping to ensure, where possible, they have access to the food and support they need. "We are working with the HSCP and other organisations to try to arrange alternative provision. A spokesperson from Renfrewshire HSCP said: 'We have been in discussion with Food Train over recent months to look at an alternative model of providing the service. "We were hoping that Food Train could remain an option for people in Renfrewshire through self-directed support. "Our current financial challenges mean we are faced with difficult choices in maintaining the same levels of funding previously provided and we must prioritise the budget we have available to us. "We will continue to work with them to ensure that all people who are assessed as needing support from our services, will continue to receive the best care and support we can provide for their circumstances."
Glasgow Times
02-05-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
'Redundancies' after Paisley branch of service set to close
Food Train has written to the 150 residents aged 65 and over to whom its volunteers deliver shopping every week, notifying them that their final deliveries will be at the end of May. It comes after Renfrewshire Health and Social Partnership (HSCP) decided to withdraw funding for the charity in this financial year. Redundancy consultation with the charity's three members of staff in Paisley is also underway. Group leaders say they have "spent months" exploring ways in which services for its members in the area - almost half of whom are aged over 80 - could be saved. This included calling on the HSCP to reverse its decision or consider other ways in which its work could be supported. READ MORE: Residents 'disgusted' as ducklings seen swimming in litter-filled canal Alan Dalziel, Food Train's Paisley-based chair, expressed his "disappointment" at the decision. He said: "The unfortunate reality is that, without Renfrewshire HSCP's financial support, our services cannot continue. "Closure is a heartbreaking but unavoidable decision that our board was forced to take. "We thank the Renfrewshire branch's dedicated volunteers for their incredible contributions and our hardworking staff who so often went the extra mile. "We are extremely disappointed for them and our amazing members that we have not been able to find another way to continue operating locally. "The services Food Train provides are a lifeline. We know our members will be upset and concerned about what closure means for them. "Our priority now is helping to ensure, where possible, they have access to the food and support they need. "We are working with the HSCP and other organisations to try to arrange alternative provision. A spokesperson from Renfrewshire HSCP said: 'We have been in discussion with Food Train over recent months to look at an alternative model of providing the service. "We were hoping that Food Train could remain an option for people in Renfrewshire through self-directed support. "Our current financial challenges mean we are faced with difficult choices in maintaining the same levels of funding previously provided and we must prioritise the budget we have available to us. "We will continue to work with them to ensure that all people who are assessed as needing support from our services, will continue to receive the best care and support we can provide for their circumstances."
