For Sale signs have appeared at defunct department store McEwens of Perth, sparking fears the landmark building could be sold for housing.
The former city centre institution, which closed its doors earlier this summer, has been put on the market after initial attempts to secure a buyer failed.
The sale is being handled by commercial property agents CBRE who have marketed the B-listed St John Street site as a “redevelopment opportunity suitable for a range of alternative uses”.
McEwens went into administration in March with the loss of more than 100 jobs.
Its sudden closure left the local business community badly shaken and prompted calls for change, including a review of parking and pedestrian zones.
Edinburgh-based CBRE has not revealed an asking price for the 43,000 sq ft building.
A smaller outlet at South Street and a car park on the Water Vennel is also offered for sale.
In the sales prospectus, agents are inviting “unconditional offers”.
The document states: “The properties are no longer operational and vacant possession can be provided immediately.”
It adds: “The vendor is not required to accept the highest or indeed any offer received”.
The latest development has triggered concerns that the building could be used for housing.
Businessman Tim Hardie, who runs a jewellery store across the street, said: “Obviously, we want to see it sold quickly and preferably to one business that will re-use the whole site for retail.
“A shopping centre would be fine, but it would take some time to fill all the units.”
He said: “We desperately need something here to bring life back into this part of Perth.
“I think our footfall for the past month has been the lowest it has ever been and that must be, at least in part because of what happened at McEwens.”
Margo Dempsie, who runs the Imprimo shoe shop, said: “A John Lewis would fit into McEwens really well. People would travel to Perth to shop at John Lewis.”
She said: “It would be awful if it became housing. That would do the city no good at all.
“St John Street is dying and we need something that will bring people in.”
Beauty therapist Wendy Button, who shops in Perth, suggested the building could become a shopping centre or a “top end restaurant”.
“Whatever happens, it would be best if something happened sooner rather than later,” she said.
A spokeswoman for CBRE confirmed that the company had been appointed by joint administrators Blair Nimmo and Tony Friar, but declined to comment further.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokeswoman said housing could form part of any future bid. “National and local land use policies would encourage investment in retail use in the city centre in the first instance and Perth & Kinross Council supports the retention of retail/town centre uses on the ground floor of city centre buildings,” she said.
“However housing could form part of a holistic solution for what is a large site where residential use could be acceptable on the higher levels.”
Part of McEwens was cordoned off for safety reasons earlier this month after stonework from the roof crashed onto St John Street. The area near the main entrance remains taped off.
