Photo by David Cameron
Committed to Community
With their new outdoor area primed to give our town centre a metropolitan feel, Café Fairfull’s Elaine Fairfull talks local heritage, al fresco dining and her outlook on Paisley’s future.
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sense of identity is a powerful thing. It can inform how we carry ourselves, shape our world view or in some cases, even inspire our approach to the business world. Having opened its doors on the High Street in 2012, Café Fairfull quickly entered the heart of the community. Possessing a welcoming atmosphere and top quality food without having to break the bank, there has always been a feeling of belonging that strikes you as you walk in the doors. As though it’s always been there and always will be. For owner Elaine Fairfull, the business is born of her affection for the area that her roots are firmly placed in. “I always knew I was going to do something here. My family has been in Paisley for generations,” she said fondly. “During the war, my gran had a shop in Abercorn Street and a kiosk in Russell Street. One day, a lady came in and asked, ‘are you a Fairfull?’ I said yes. She said, 60 MILL
‘Well I used to live next to your granny’s shop and she’d always give us sweeties’. She. Another lady who’s now sadly passed away and was 104 at the time had said to me that she’d been a Saturday girl for my gran. For me, it's just fantastic that people take the time to relay fond memories like that.” After cementing themselves as a hub for tasty and affordable dining, Elaine and her cheerful team are now readying themselves for expansion with a brand new outdoor area. “The gazebos are ready and just waiting to go out,” Elaine enthused. “We want it to be a positive thing for the town, offering everything you’ve come to expect from us as well as cocktails and a new al-fresco platter. There’ll be space for 60 in this new space and 100-plus across the whole premises, so we’ll be able to keep everyone happy. We are the people that we serve,
