A Perth shopping complex that was wiped out in a devastating blaze will be rebuilt, developers have confirmed.
The city’s B&M superstore and neighbouring Pets At Home were left damaged beyond repair following a fatal fire this summer (see video above this story).
The entire block, including a disused tile store, has since been razed to the ground and fenced off.
Now Moorgarth Properties, owners of St Catherine’s retail park, has lodged papers with Perth and Kinross Council to have all four units rebuilt.
The firm proposes a “like-for-like” replacement, but with a fresh look to “improve the appearance and vibrancy” of the shops.
Both B&M and Pets At Home have also confirmed to The Courier that they plan to re-open in Perth, ending weeks of uncertainty.
After the fire about 45 employees from both stores were redeployed to other branches in Tayside.
In their application for planning permission, agents for Moorgarth state: “In order to ensure a continuity of retail position on the site, and a continuity of retail offer to previous tenants, this proposal is being progressed to ensure that at a minimum the lost units can be replaced as early as possible.
“However, our client reserves the right to pursue alternative arrangements and options for the future re-development of the site under a separate planning application.”
Around 50 firefighters tackled the early morning blaze on August 24, while some 30 animals were rescued from Pets At Home.
A 33-year-old man was found dead amongst the rubble at B&M about a week after the fire.
A spokeswoman for B&M confirmed the company hopes to re-open in Perth soon. “We can’t wait to be back in Perth,” she said. “The team are working hard to (open) a new store as soon as possible.”
A Pets At Home spokesman added: “We remain absolutely committed to Perth as a location for us, and hope to re-open around the middle of next year.
“Unfortunately we can’t confirm exactly when that will be at the moment but we will update all our Perth customers as soon as we can.”
