'Forever grateful': Coats Paisley dedicate award to Paisley people

The prize has been dedicated to the people who helped save Coats Paisley after it was at risk of closing down forever.

We had previously reported that a 100-day campaign to raise money to save the premises was launched, in which £625k was raised in the timeframe.

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Now, just over six years later, it has been revitalised into a stunning wedding venue which is run by Coats Memorial Preservation Trust who aim to maintain the Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church building and promote its use as a multi-faceted event venue.

The church was recently nominated at the prestigious Confetti Awards at the Double Tree Hilton in Glasgow for best wedding packages and best unique wedding venue.

Suzanne Stevenson, venue manager, said that winning the best venue award was a "total surprise" as she says she was shocked to be nominated let alone win it.

She dedicated the award to everyone who helped save the church.

Suzanne said: "It is amazing how all the people (in Paisley) come together at a time of need.

"Just to think that all that money raised through community funds went to saving this place.

"The Paisley people and everyone else who came together, with all their blood, sweat and tears have led to where we are today, winning awards against the best of the best venues.

"People didn't want to see this place go into disrepair like the one that is next door to us.

"The award is something that they contributed to."

For 124 years, the church was used as a public place of worship however, on January 28, 2018, the congregation agreed to give serious consideration to the prospect of closure.

This came as a result of declining financial resources and a dwindling membership with a final special service being held on February 26, 2018.

Historic Environment Scotland eventually granted a category A status to the memorial building, which signifies the highest level of recognition of its importance.

And between 2019 and 2021 the trust of volunteers on the board transformed the property into a space which can be used for weddings, proms and graduations.

All the money raised during events is redistributed back into the church.

Suzanne went on to say: "Some people in Paisley still don't know that this place is a wedding venue, and it is on their doorstep.

"It is when the guests come into the church and they are like "we didn't even know this place exists" and that always amazes me.

"Each and every one of us, including the Paisley people, have contributed to this award happening.

"We are so forever grateful that they have been a part of this and they are the ones who saved this building from going into disrepair."