A plan to convert Perth City Hall into a five star hotel overcame its first hurdle but was accompanied by a stark warning.
Councillors on the development management committee who in the past have backed demolition for the Edwardian listed building to make way for a civic square told the group behind the proposal that the next stage must include a robust demonstration of the financial viability of a hotel if it is to progress.
If that is forthcoming the council, as owners of the building, would be faced with agreeing to lease or sell the hall which would more than likely entail a remarketing process.
Councillor John Kellas pressed Simon Wilson of The Seventy Group to reveal the likelihood of the money being available to take a hotel plan from the drawing board to reality.
“What I can tell you is we have had very positive discussions with international hotel operators,” Mr Wilson assured him.
He told the meeting that it was difficult to “nail down” backers while his group didn’t have the lease but said the financial assurances councillors craved would soon be forthcoming.
“The information you want will come out in the next round,” he said.
Faced with a conversion plan backed by Historic Scotland and in tune with the council’s own development plan, councillors approved the application but made clear that the future remains far from certain.
Pick up Thursday’s Courier for more on this story.