The businessman heading a bid to transform City Hall into a food market says Perth desperately needs a “social hub”.
Vivian Linacre, director of Perth Market Place Ltd, says regenerating the B-listed Edwardian landmark could trigger a reversal of fortunes for the city centre.
The retired chartered surveyor, who has a track record for retail development, said: “There is a base problem which is aggravating issues in Perth and that’s a problem which is pretty much universal.
“Going shopping on the high street used to be fun, it was an exciting thing to do. But these days, you go into town and you probably won’t speak to a soul. It’s just dead.
“People now do most of their shopping at supermarkets – with all their free car parking – and it’s no longer fun, in fact it’s a chore.”
He said: “Every city in the world started life as a human settlement and from this grows a market place and that is the origin of every town in history.
“As long as that social hub prospers, the town will prosper. Take the social hub away and the town will die. And that is what has happened in Perth.”
Mr Linacre said: “Its said that people aren’t coming into Perth because the shops are closed, but the fact is it’s the other way around: The shops are closed because the people aren’t there.
“It’s not about car parking and business rates, it’s about people. And we need to give the people a reason to go downtown.”
Traders have called for a speedy end to the decade-long City Hall saga. A new range of options for the building will be considered at a council meeting on June 22.
Meanwhile, the owners of the derelict St Paul’s Church on South Methven Street have been ordered to make emergency repairs.
Avengate must take action by June 1, or the council will step in, complete the work themselves and then bill the Belfast-based company for the repairs, which they have estimated will cost around £400,000, excluding VAT.
Director James Boyd has vowed to fight the order.
Along the street, there are further concerns about the crumbling Clachan Bar, another city centre property on the official “Buildings at Risk” register.
Local firm Zack Developments has been given an extra year to progress its plan to demolish the three-storey block and replace it with eight flats, a restaurant and pub.
McCash and Hunter Solicitors, based across the street, had pleaded with the council to arrange for the building to be knocked down before it becomes even more of a public hazard.
Company partner Paul Trodden said: “If the building is indeed in a dangerous condition, then surely steps must be taken to have this demolished immediately to prevent any danger to the public.”
