Perth enjoys £1.75 million windfall from SNP conference

The Scottish National Party’s new legion of followers will descend on Perth today, helping deliver a massive £1.75 million boost to the city economy.

Around 2,000 delegates are expected to arrive in the Fair City for the Nationalists’ first conference since the independence referendum.

The 80th annual gathering, which will see Nicola Sturgeon formally elected as party leader, comes as a new UK-wide poll puts the party just one point behind the Lib Dems.

The party estimates that, over the next two days, the Perth Concert Hall conference will generate a financial boost of £1.75 million significantly more than the estimated £100,000 which was pumped into the economy by the event two years ago.

Around 1,750 delegates and member visitors are expected to attend, as well as 250 members of the media and 150 observers.

Three marquees, covering 8,600 sq ft, have been set up and an estimated 6,828 cups of coffee will be drunk over the weekend.

An SNP insider told The Courier: “It is our favourite venue, so we will be hoping to keep it.”

For full conference coverage, including an exclusive interview with leader-to-be Nicola Sturgeon, see Friday’s Courier.