The good, the bad and the ugly.

Paisley Gilmour Street Station is a red sandstone B-listed building dating from around 1840, with later extensions and alterations. On the older County Square side of the station (south side), the structure is well-maintained and looks grand with it's castellated Tudor facade. The north side, facing Old Sneddon Street, was rebuilt in the late 19th century and although still part of the B listed structure, has less architectural features of interest, and has been neglected.

I have no figures, but the number of vehicles that pass along Old Sneddon Street, which is part of Paisley's ring road system, must easily exceed 10,000 per day. It is a very busy road. For many drivers it is the only part of central Paisley they ever see. What must they think when they look at the dilapidated state of this building? This certainly doesn't invite people into the town.

In early August Paisley2020 contacted Network Rail, the owners of Paisley Gilmour Street Station. We were directed to Network Rail at Buchanan House, Glasgow, and were told that office would be able to answer our queries. They chose not to reply. We were just curious about the future of some of the shops along Old Sneddon Street. They must have received the letter, because their property web page has since been updated with a few omitted properties that we highlighted.

The first property to be seen by most motorists is the abandoned and derelict property next to the Elma White School of Dancing at 3 Incle Street. This building is underneath the railway viaduct and has been abandoned, with it's disrepair and missing windows. Welcome to Paisley.

Now into Old Sneddon Street proper. In all fairness this section of the Paisley Gilmour Street station faces north and for much of the year it is in cold, damp shadow. This doesn't help Network Rail's dampness problem, which they are trying to overcome. It was recently announced Network rail would spend £9 million to improve the building. This work includes a single roof canopy over the station and will be 40% bigger than the existing structure. This should prevent (or significantly reduce) the dampness problem experienced by the retail units along Old Sneddon Street.

Until then, properties, such as the ones at 62-66 Old Sneddon Street will remain locked up and abandoned. If you look through the filthy shop windows you will see collapsed false ceilings, peeling paint and plaster and even ferns! Dampness signs are obvious on the exterior masonry above these shops. The remaining shops along to Gilmour Street are occupied, or up for sale. Included in this stretch is Paisley's landmark pub Hamish's Hoose at number 40-46. On the opposite corner is the former Chinese Restaurant known as Shanghai Rendezvous. It is described in the Network Rail property page as recently refurbished. A visit today showed torn wallpaper and a broom propped up against the former bar, and it looks far from 'fresh'.

We then have the 'quality' stretch of Old Sneddon Street, with the hanging flower baskets; included here is one of the station's entrances, Graphic Hair Design, 'Works of Art' and Lombardi's restaurant & grill. At the corner with Moss Street is the former hardware and solicitors shop. This has been empty for many years, and occupies a prominent position for pedestrians and motorists approaching the many car parks on this side of the town. On a ledge above the shop are some fine, healthy examples of a weed called redshank. As the root systems get stronger and bigger, the more damage occurs to the historic station stonework.

Property prices range from £9,000 to £24,000 per annum for these retail outlets. Although floor plans, storage space and footfall vary, prices are comparable with Moss Street and Causeyside Street. With the damp, noise and dirt of Old Sneddon Street, there appears to be no obvious advantages in opening up a shop here.

Earlier this year Paisley2020.org contacted First Scotrail. They promote on their website a scheme where small businesses can obtain railway retail properties rent free. Unfortunately the shops of Paisley Gilmour Street don't qualify for this scheme.

Overall, this stretch of road has too many closed and abandoned shop fronts, damp, dirty stonework and festoons of weeds from stonework ledges. It looks rundown, and little has been done here since the redevelopment of 1999-2001. With the number of motorists passing this stretch of road, I believe some action is required by Network Rail to bring the area up to a certain standard. If this rot was taking place in our High Street, some pressure would have been exerted on the owners by now. Unfortunately Old Sneddon Street lies in a busy but forgotten part of town centre, where priorities are not as high as in other parts of Paisley.

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