A Spanish restaurant has closed, with works on Perth City Hall right outside its front door being blamed for driving customers away.
Perth and Kinross Council says the £26.5 million project will attract thousands of visitors from across the world and “create a vibrant city centre environment that will benefit businesses”.
But fencing, a noisy generator and building works opposite the entrance to South St John’s Place restaurant Bistua has reportedly put diners off eating there.
Bistua restaurant owner and father-of-three Ciro Sito said: “Nobody cares and nobody helps me. I just had to close.”
The tapas restaurant had 30 covers and offered a takeaway service too.
But the building site right outside has been a turn-off for diners, Mr Sito says.
‘People could not find restaurant’
Mr Sito said: “They started to do work in the evenings and at weekends. People could not find me. I lost six or seven tables last weekend.
“Everything is being done in front of my door. I have had no compensation from the council.
“I can’t put tables outside.
“There is a railing in front of the restaurant and a generator three metres from my door. People were leaving because of the noise.”
Ciro then had to deal with the dust which would gather on the wooden floors.
He said: “In the evenings, everything was a mess.”
Ciro has even faced problems offloading goods into his restaurant with construction vans blocking the road.
Ciro – who opened the restaurant in September 2020 – has struggled with rent and utility payments.
He said: “I have spoken to the council 10 times. How can I feed my three children? I’m quite upset. It’s not a joke.
“They don’t care. I’m desperate to pay the electricity.”
The restaurant is looking for an alternative location and is planning a delivery service.
Perth City Hall works
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “The new £26.5 million museum at Perth City Hall will bring thousands of visitors to the city from across the globe.
“Work started in January last year and the new museum is on track to open in September 2024.
“The new museum will create a vibrant city centre environment that will benefit businesses in the city centre and the wider Perth and Kinross area.
“We are keeping businesses updated on progress of the new museum.
“Our business and place development team can help businesses make the most of the opportunity including grant support for frontage improvements and re-use of upper floors.”
