Momentous events such as the granting of city status have helped maintain Perth’s relatively buoyant economy through recent economic woes, it has been claimed.
While near neighbours Fife and Dundee have seen unemployment rise in the last year, Perth and Kinross has held steady.
Perth and Kinross Council said a targeted campaign to protect local business, attract new firms and stimulate economic positivity is paying off.
And the seemingly intangible benefits of the city status decision are now being seen, according to the last administration’s enterprise and infrastructure convener Councillor John Kellas.
He said: ”It immediately improves people’s awareness, the fact it is a city, and helps inform whether to stay or not. A lot of big firms are hunkering down and drawing into the cities, so of course it helps to be one.”
Vicki Unite, chief executive of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, said: ”Perth and Kinross unemployment figures compare extremely well to those of surrounding areas and they remain significantly below the Scottish and UK averages.
”Job creation is central to driving economic recovery. Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and its members are working hard with partner organisations to boost employment in our area and understand the barriers they face in making that happen.”