For almost three decades, Brian McGuire has been promoting Paisley through local news, community events and support for businesses and charities.
Now that work has been recognised with a motion in the Scottish Parliament, lodged by Neil Bibby MSP, commending Brian and Paisley on the Web for their contribution to the community.
Brian founded Paisley on the Web in 1998. Since then, the website has become a well-known source of local news, event listings and food and drink recommendations, while also helping charities, community groups and local businesses reach thousands of people across Renfrewshire.
Over the years, the website has grown with changing technology and now reaches almost 80,000 people through its social media channels.
The motion recognises the positive impact Paisley on the Web has had across Renfrewshire and was supported by Joe Fagan MSP and Paul Sweeney MSP.
Brian was presented with a copy of the motion by Neil Bibby MSP at Mile End Mill in Paisley.
Neil Bibby MSP said: “Paisley on the Web has been promoting all the best things about the town for nearly 30 years. Well done and thanks Brian.”
Reflecting on the recognition, Brian said: “What an incredible morning it was yesterday! The team behind Paisley on the Web was presented with a motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament by Neil Bibby MSP, recognising over 25 years of local news, event listings and food and drink recommendations right here in Paisley. To have that kind of work acknowledged at a national level is genuinely humbling.
“A huge thank you to Neil and everyone who has read, shared and supported us along the way.
“Even though this was a surprise I have to thank Mags who has looked after the Paisley Community section for a very long time too. We have had loads of volunteers come and go and my thanks goes out to them.
“Plus I can’t say thanks without saying thanks to my ex-trouble and strife Danielle who, while I was ill for so long, made sure the site maintained its presence online, thank you.”
He added: “I want to say a genuine thank you to Neil for taking the time to do this. It means an enormous amount. An award like this really isn’t about one person, though.
“I don’t often find myself lost for words, but today came close.
“This morning at Mile End Mill in Paisley, I was presented with a motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament by Neil Bibby MSP, commending Paisley on the Web and the work we’ve been doing here since 1998. To have all these years of local news, event listings and food and drink recommendations recognised in this way is something I never expected when I first started out, and I’m still trying to take it in.”
Ricky Kelly, editor of Renfrewshire News, said: “I’d like to congratulate Brian on this well-deserved recognition. I knew of Paisley on the Web for years before I ever met Brian, but it wasn’t until we both attended a photography course at the University of the West of Scotland that I got to know the man behind the website.
“He’s a genuinely lovely guy who has dedicated a huge part of his life to promoting Paisley and supporting the local community. While we’re now friendly competitors in local news, I’ve always had a great deal of respect for what Brian has built over almost three decades. This recognition from the Scottish Parliament is thoroughly deserved, and everyone at Renfrewshire News congratulates him on the honour.”
You can visit Paisley on the Web, here: https://paisley.org.uk.
Headline photo: Neil Bibby MSP presents Brian McGuire with a copy of the Scottish Parliament motion recognising his contribution to Paisley through nearly 30 years of Paisley on the Web.
Photo Credit: Paisley on the Web
Full Scottish Parliament motion commending Brian McGuire and Paisley on the Web:
“That the Parliament commends Brian McGuire, who is the founder of Renfrewshire news website, Paisley on the Web, which can be found at paisley.org.uk, for his service to his community; recognises that it has provided Renfrewshire’s residents and visitors alike with up-to-date news, event announcements and food and drink recommendations since 1998; values Brian’s commitment to keeping the community well-informed in a time of growing misinformation; notes the website’s successful adaptation to changes in news consumption over the years through its social media pages, which have collectively amassed almost 80,000 followers, and thanks Brian for the positive impact that Paisley on the Web continues to make in Renfrewshire.