September has been a month dedicated to regeneration. Two exciting projects are transforming residential homes in Johnstone Castle and the retail district around Johnstone Town Hall.

There is also big news for Paisley with arts and culture expert Jean Cameron back home to support the town’s bid for UK City of Culture and InCube businesses getting ready to open up shop on the High Street.

Modern housing coming to Johnstone Castle It is an exciting time for residents of Johnstone Castle as work continues on the demolition of vacant tenement blocks that are outdated and in low demand by tenants.

Replacing the tenements will be 100 modern, high quality front and back door Council houses that will better meet the needs of the community.

It is all part of our ambitious plans to provide 1000 affordable homes in Renfrewshire by 2020.

In making way for these brand new homes, we’ve been working closely with tenants and have had great support on rehousing residents as we work to help those who wish to stay in Johnstone Castle, wherever possible, to get the chance to do so.

Anyone affected by the regeneration plans who needs to inform the council of a change in circumstance to their housing application should contact Johnstone Neighbourhood Office on 0141 618 2581.

City of Culture Bid Director back home in Paisley It was great to see many local people warmly welcome Jean Cameron, born and bred in Paisley, as the town’s bid director for UK City of Culture.

Jean will have a key role to play as we look to pull together a bid which the whole town will get behind and be proud of.

UK City of Culture status will be a massive boost to Renfrewshire, with the social and economic benefits spreading across all towns and villages.

With culture worth an estimated £7.7 billion to the UK market, there are a lot of opportunities that come out of a bid for UK City of Culture.

Jean is the ideal person for taking forward Paisley’s bid. Jean has a wealth of experience in the Scottish and UK arts scene and is already part of the cultural DNA of the town.

In her new job, Jean will co-ordinate Paisley’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid document, while driving the campaign to support it. The bid is due to be lodged and decided upon by the UK Government in 2017.

Local businesses setting up shop at InCube Young businesses in Renfrewshire’s business incubator, InCube, are getting ready to open up shop on Paisley High Street.

The innovative and energetic entrepreneurs embody many of the values that are most important to Renfrewshire’s growth and most integral to our character; enterprise, innovation and commitment to community.

These qualities built Renfrewshire’s success and will power our 21st Century achievements.

And while InCube is based in Paisley, many of the entrepreneurs live elsewhere in Renfrewshire, such as Suzi Somerville who started Treetops when she identified a local interest in boutique clothes for children but no local boutique that was selling them at reasonable prices.

To find out more about InCube and the businesses involved, visit incuberenfrewshire.com.

Johnstone town centre regeneration I firmly believe town centres are the heart of the community, so I’m pleased to see improvements to Johnstone town centre taking shape. Topping up our existing £14 million investment into Johnstone Town Hall, these wider regeneration plans will continue to develop modern community space in what is already a thriving town centre.

Improvements to existing buildings and surrounding areas will bolster the town’s existing mix of retail, civic and cultural assets, and free up vacant buildings to be used as commercial or additional residential units.

Community events are an important part of the town’s cultural calendar with hundreds turning out to the Fire Engine Rally in August and many more expected at the festive lights switch on in November.

Residents and businesses in Johnstone are really passionate about the regeneration of the town and that support is the lifeblood of the town that makes it a strong civic centre. Part of that support will be contributing to the Johnstone town centre consultation and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t already contributed to go online to our website, www.renfrewshire.gov.uk, and let us know your views by Friday, November 6.

Check out the Leader’s Latest at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/councilleader or follow #Leaderlatest on Twitter.