The creation of a caf on Perth’s South Inch parklands could be a “gold mine” for the city.
After two years of disappointment, the new facility could soon sit alongside the largest children’s playpark in Perth and Kinross.
The state-of-the-art attraction was completed at the end of August 2013 following a £570,000 investment by Perth and Kinross Council.
While it has proved a huge hit with youngsters and families, many visitors have bemoaned the lack of accompanying facilities.
That now looks likely to change, with three parties understood to be interested in providing food and drink to park users.
Bidders would provide a caf facility, together with toilets to enhance the visitor experience at the park.
The new business would find a home in the pavilion and building complex vacated by the South Inch Bowling Club in 2012.
Changing facilities are still in use and managed by the council while the public toilets were recently refurbished.
For some time now, however, the council has been keen to look at ways to develop the empty buildings without much success.
There were initial hopes a business could be in residence by summer 2013.
That was then delayed until summer this year, following a second search for a franchisee.
Now, at last, there appears to be interest gathering in operating such a business, following the example of a similar type of facility at the refurbished and upgraded MacRosty Park in Crieff.
Perth common good fund convener Jack Coburn told The Courier: “There are three bids in place for a franchise and we hope to see these progress.
“A caf would be a great addition to the South Inch and, I believe, could be a wee gold mine for the city.”
Mr Coburn said the pavilion building had been upgraded, with a new electricity supply installed, to make the building more attractive. Other buildings at the site are also likely to be upgraded.
Councillor Willie Wilson said he hoped to see the caf in place as soon as possible.
“We want these premises to be brought back into use to provide what could be an important new attraction for Perth,” he said.
“We have invested heavily in the playpark and we want to maximise that and make the city shine. If these buildings remain boarded up during the spring and summer months, then I fear it will reflect badly.
“Very little seems to have happened during 2013 and now 2014 and so it is important that we now get things moving.”