Proposals to breathe fresh life into Perth, including the launch of a Glasgow’s Miles Better-style marketing drive, will be thrashed out by city centre traders later this month.
Local MSP John Swinney and MP Pete Wishart have called a new meeting for retailers, following initial talks earlier this summer.
The first gathering was held in the wake of McEwen’s shock closure, which rattled the business community and triggered calls for change.
At the meeting, which was attended by around 200 people, it was suggested Perth should adopt its own promotional campaign and slogan, highlighting the vast range of independent stores.
Since the first summit, Perth and Kinross Council has announced a series of radical plans to bring more people into the city.
These include proposals to convert city hall into a major cultural asset which could become home to the Stone of Destiny.
The council has also approved a £500 million investment plan, as part of its capital budget, which will include new schools and a major sports complex at Blairgowrie.
And a major review of parking has also been announced.
The plans were in the pipeline at the time of the last meeting in May, but were being kept under wraps.
Mr Swinney and Mr Wishart have now issued an invitation to all business owners and council officials to the follow-up meeting on Monday, August 29.
“It has been a very busy summer for Perth city centre, with lots of people having a reason to come into the city,” said Mr Swinney. “A number of high profile events, including the Oor Wullie bucket trail, Perth Museum’s Player video games exhibition and most recently, the launch of the bid for City of Culture 2021 have meant more and more people are seeing what Perth has to offer.”
He said: “Perth has showcased itself exceptionally well this summer, but the footfall in the city needs to be replicated in local shops.
“I am pleased to see many, small independent businesses doing well and my tour of local businesses earlier this month gave me a very interesting insight into the challenges being faced.”
Mr Swinney added: “Of course, every business in the city centre is facing challenges, some more than others, and it is very important that we come together to find a solution to existing problems and come up with a plan to promote the city centre as a shopping destination and a good place to do business.”
Mr Wishart added: “The first city centre summit demonstrated that there is a clear desire, from local business owners, to talk Perth up and to work in partnership to help the city thrive.
“There were some clear issues identified at the first summit – including city centre parking – which clearly need to be worked on.
“However, it is very clear that local businesses want a plan for the City of Perth. That plan needs to come from local business people as well as Perth and Kinross Council and i hope that some progress can be made in this respect.”
The meeting will be held at 6pm in the Royal George Hotel on Monday, August 29.
