Plans have been put in place to transform a vacant unit into a hub housing a café/coffee shop.

The application has been submitted by Barbara Davey, the director of Olden Goldies, a companion service which provides a lifeline to older people who are lonely, have lost their confidence to go out alone or need a friend they can trust.

The proposal is to use the unit at 33 Well Street in Paisley in connection with this business and also to provide a limited menu café/coffee shop for use by both clients and the community.

A supporting statement submitted with the application said: “One of the key activities that the olden goldies love is going out for ‘coffee and cake’ which is when the biggest change is seen in their mood.

“Some of them are taken out almost every day.

"However, it’s a repetitive activity which needs to grow to the next level.

“To enhance the value of the service, the need now is for a hub where the companions can take their olden goldies for the social interaction and activity that they are missing and for the all-important ‘coffee and cake’.”

Most recently (around four or five years ago) the hub was used as a vape shop, before being acquired for this new proposed purpose.

It is intended that the hub will be a “warm and comfortable” café/coffee shop style environment with space for craft workshops, such as jewellery making, painting and drawing, as well as exercise classes and other entertainment.

“As a private business Olden Goldies receives no external funding for the services it provides, so the intention is to offer to the public a limited menu comprising hot drinks and some small amount of hot food – toasties, sandwiches, hot pastries, soup, hot filled rolls,” added the supporting statement.

“This would be available to the public at limited times during the day for consumption on and off the premises.

“There would also be some class 1 use as a general shop for local people.”

The application was received by Renfrewshire Council on October 8 and validated yesterday (November 5).

It is currently awaiting decision by planners.