SHOPPING CENTRE? ITS MORE LIKE A WAR ZONE

Sep 12 2006 Paisley Daily Express

This wouldn’t look out of place in Basra, say angry residents

AN angry, fed-up community has slammed their rundown shopping centre a disgrace – and say it looks more like an a war zone than a precinct where you can go shopping.

And they say they’ve had enough of empty promises from politicians who have done nothing to turn it around.

Families in Linwood have been calling for action on the rundown centre, above, for years without success.

It is blighted by smashed windows, boarded-up units and graffiti, all of which turn it into a horrible eyesore.

Residents are unhappy at the decay and lack of action to reverse the decline of the once-thriving part of town.

And there were calls for Renfrewshire Council to do more and unite with the business community to turn the troubled site around.

Andy Doig, the SNP’s candidate at the next Scottish elections, said: “Like other Linwood residents I am totally ashamed and disgusted at the appalling state of the shopping centre.

“It would not look out of place in downtown Basra and it is high time the council took the initiative and opened immediate talks with local business leaders to get their expertise on how the centre could be regenerated.”

The centre, which is owned by Balmore Properties, is the first thing you see when you come into Linwood from Paisley along Bridge Street.

Members of Linwood Community Council echoed Mr Doig’s concerns – and found another colourful description of the troubled site.

A spokesman said: “While I wouldn’t agree that it looks like Basra, it does look like something out of NYPD because of all the graffiti and vandalism.

“I know film and news crews have used it as a backdrop for scenes of urban deprivation and no wonder, it is a despicable eyesore.

“We would welcome any action that would improve the situation and get the shopping centre back to doing what it used to do – serving the people of Linwood.”

One campaigner blasted: “Nobody is doing anything for us.

“I’ve contacted Renfrewshire councillors and our MSP Wendy Alexander on this, and look what’s happened - absolutely nothing.

“They just don’t care and they won’t be getting my vote next time round. The centre has just gone from bad to worse and attracts problems.”

However the Paisley North MSP says she has been concerned by the state of the shopping centre for a while.

She agreed: “The shopping centre is an absolute disgrace.

“The owners refuse to meet or correspond with the local elected representatives.

“The council should use the full weight of law to take back the centre by using compulsory purchase orders.”

Mr Doig, who will challenge Ms Alexander at next year’s Scottish election, blamed the “political establishment” for the state of the centre.

He claimed that a proposed supermarket on the site was “dead in the water” and that if something wasn’t done by Renfrewshire Council he would consider reporting it to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.