Business owners in Perth are being urged to turn out in force to have their say on shaping the future of the city’s retail heart.
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney has issued a final call for businesses to participate in the second city centre summit which takes place tonight in the Royal George Hotel.
Local retailers, business owners and Perth and Kinross Council representatives are all set to take part in the open meeting to build upon the first summit that took place at the end of May.
Seeking to progress the ideas and proposals put forward at the first summit, Mr Swinney and his Westminster colleague, Pete Wishart MP, are looking forward to another large turnout.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Swinney said: “I am very encouraged by the number of city centre businesses that have already agreed to take part in this month’s summit, and I hope as any businesses as possible are represented, on the night.
“These summits are an important means of working toward developing a plan for the city centre and to help make Perth a more vibrant, popular, attractive shopping destination than it already is.
“This year, footfall in Perth has bucked the Scotland, and UK-wide, trend. With major events in the city’s social calendar still to take place, I hope that this increase in the number of people coming into the city centre can be built on over the coming months and that local businesses see a corresponding increase in footfall, as a result.
“It is vital that local businesses feel the benefit of working together, in partnership with the local authority.
“Myself and Pete Wishart are both committed to working with local businesses, and Perth and Kinross Council, to help find common ground for a way forward, and to continue to promote Perth city centre.”
The summit will be held at 6pm on Monday in the Old Restaurant of The Royal George Hotel, George Street, Perth. Business owners wishing to attend should contact Elaine Wylie at elaine.wylie@parliament.scot or call 01250 876 576.
* Don’t miss Tuesday’s Courier for full coverage of the event.
