A retired businessman is eager to be involved in Paisley's regeneration as he prepares to stand in this week's Renfrewshire Council election.
Jim McIlroy, a Conservative candidate in the Southeast ward, wants to see the town accelerate its recovery from the pandemic and hopes his experience can play a part.
He has urged the next administration to be "bold and ambitious" in its plans for the town centre and has pledged to "deliver solutions" for the community.
McIlroy was an elected member at Spelthorne Borough Council from 2019 until the end of last year, having returned home to care for his mother.
He has been heavily involved in campaign matters such as the Save the RAI group and wants to see the historic property secured and redeveloped.
He said: "I want to be involved in Paisley's regeneration. That's why I'm standing.
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"I want to be getting involved in getting that High Street up and working the way it should be.
"I have some experience in doing that, so it's another reason I'm standing."
McIlroy, originally from Ferguslie Park, also spoke of the the sense of pride he would feel in representing constituents in Paisley Southeast.
He added: "I've come back to look after family and it's the greatest thing in the world to be back in the town.
"I have the opportunity to actually represent the town. If I could do that, it might not be the biggest career success, but personally it would be the biggest thing that I could ever do.
"I honestly think the people of Paisley are desperate - crying out - to have their High Street back, just to get that sense of community spirit that I can remember as a boy and I would like to see back again.
"If I was in those council chambers then I would be making the argument for what this council should be doing.
"Let me tell you straight, I'm not a political animal. I'm just a guy that's got that bit about him to get things done.
"The thing that you need to push things forward and I've learned on the job.
"I feel that the Scottish Conservatives are the only people that can put up a fight in this council.
"If it was down to me, I would actually like to see all of this political bile and infighting, I'd like to see it finished and have all parties working together, have cross-party engagement, to actually get things done in this council."
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