The head of under-fire Perth and Kinross Council has come out fighting to defend the local authority’s controversial winter festivities programme.
Criticism is mounting over the High Street location of Perth’s Christmas market, which got under way on Friday,
There had already been disquiet in some quarters about the choice of singer Peter Andre as the main atrraction at the switch-on of the Christmas lights.
Council leader Ian Miller said Perth has already benefited from a near £2 million economic boost and an increase in the number of people visiting the city centre.
He was responding to the anger of local business owners and residents over the location of the market.
Mr Miller said Perth’s Winter Festival looks poised to break all previous records.
“Last Saturday we saw just what a difference the Winter Festival makes, when events generated a phenomenal economic impact of £1.9m and resulted in a 7.2% increase in the peak number of people in Perth’s city centre compared with last year,” he said.
“As has been stated, cities across Scotland and, indeed, Europe, flourish because of their market programmes and ventures. The Christmas market is one of many excellent new additions to this year’s expanded Winter Festival programme, adding to Perth’s vibrant festive offering.”
He continued: “The layout of the market stalls will now be spread along the High Street and St John’s Place. Businesses have told us that they are satisfied with this solution and the Christmas market will still operate as planned.
“I’m pleased that the Christmas market will be set up outdoors in our city’s streets, encouraging many more shoppers into the centre for the benefit of all of our retailers.”
Councillor Alexander Stewart, one of the representatives for the Perth South ward, labelled it a “fiasco” and claimed many local retailers now have to contend with their shop frontages being “overshadowed” by wooden cabins along the High Street.
Several shop owners had also slammed the move, including Bayne’s bakery and the Scottish Seasons gift shop.
Thousands of Perth residents turned up for the Christmas lights switch-on by Andre, which saw a fireworks display over the river Tay and an appearance by 1970’s disco band Boney M.
Earlier in the day, a parade took place in Perth High Street.