Perth’s fading shopping streets are to benefit from improvements in a bid to attract new business.
A long-awaited £3 million project will begin next week and will include new seating and lighting and the laying of natural stone in pedestrianised areas.
The work on High Street and King Edward Street will be delivered in phases and is anticipated to last until the end of the year.
The news comes just months after budget fashion favourite Primark pitched up in Perth.
The new 24,000-square-foot outlet was the largest shop to open on the High Street for more than a quarter of a century and has proved popular.
New life is also being breathed into the former Woolworths, which has been empty for almost two years. According to the plans lodged with the council, the ground and first floors are being sub-divided to provide floor space for retailers.
The project is being carried out by local company Craigrossie Properties Ltd, which hopes the work will be completed by late spring. Discussions are underway with potential big-name tenants.
Council leader Ian Miller welcomed the works, saying, “This is an important project which will improve the pedestrian environment for all who live, work, shop in or visit Perth, and make a real difference to the quality of the environment to High Street and King Edward Street.
“The new streetscape design will match what already exists in St John Street, giving continuity throughout the town centre.”
Siobhan McConnell is manager of St John’s Shopping Centre and a member of Perth City Centre Action Group. She said, “Retailers welcome this £3 million investment by Perth and Kinross Council in the public realm of Perth’s centre.
“We will work closely with the council throughout the period of the works and look forward to a much improved pedestrian environment in which retailers will trade and which customers can enjoy whilst shopping in Perth.”
Later phases will run as follows:
Late April to early August High Street from King Edward Street to Scott Street.
Early August to early November High Street from King Edward Street to Kirkgate.
Early November to late December High Street, from Kirkgate to George Street, and from Scott Street to South Methven Street.
Access to adjacent premises will be maintained during the works and a liaison group bringing together business representatives, residents and property owners will meet regularly for the duration of the works.