A row of shops in the heart of a Perth community undergoing a £40m makeover will be upgraded.
The eight retail units in Dunkeld Road will be refurbished at a cost of around £860,000, with council chiefs regarding this work as being “key to the overall” regeneration of Muirton.
The proposals for the upgrade will include a host of measures aimed at improving fire safety, electrical and gas safety, welfare and hygiene facilities, as well as the appearance of the building.
Feedback from the local community showed there was strong support to retain the shops.
A report, written by John Gilruth, Perth and Kinross Council’s director of housing and community care, states that the £40m Muirton regeneration programme is “progressing well,” with a further 25 houses rented through Fairfield Housing Co-operative due to be completed in spring next year.
Mr Gilruth said the upgrading of the shops in Dunkeld Road should start in January next year, with a completion date set for early June.
In a report to committee he said: “The redesign of the shops will complement the properties that will be built on the adjacent site.
“This investment will support our aim of having attractive, well-managed neighbourhoods supporting strong communities and economic growth.”
“This is an important project for the local community. Good progress has been achieved in consulting and liaising with the shop tenants and local people.
“Plans to offer long-term 10-year leases have proved popular and these will enable the shop tenants to consider and develop their own investment plans for their businesses.”
Mr Gilruth will tell council members on Wednesday that all of the existing shop tenants involved have confirmed they wish to continue trading at the site following completion of the works.
His report also states that work to improve the eight flats above the shops is being planned separately, and includes installing new triple-glazed windows during December.