Perth City Hall still has a special place in the hearts of many residents who danced on its floors, met sweethearts there and enjoyed many a concert.
Closed now for a decade as efforts have been made to find a new use for the Edwardian building or reduce it to rubble few have viewed its interior since it was locked.
Now it appears a plea to change that and have it opened to the public for one final time at least has fallen on deaf ears.
A variety of unusual properties will be open to the public this weekend for Doors Open Day, offering a unique opportunity to see inside and behind the scenes of churches, a prison and a masonic temple.
And Perth and Kinross Council had received a request to unlock the doors to the City Hall.
The local authority, however, said that was not possible, commenting that: “The interior of Perth City Hall is unsuitable for the public to be allowed access to during Doors Open Day.”
In a letter to council leader Ian Miller passed to the City Hall Supporters Group Perth resident Maureen Summers had asked for just that, saying: “It will give members of the public an opportunity to view the halls for themselves, since it is currently on the market.
“I know it is short notice, but all you need to do is unlock the doors and put up a couple of posters.
“I am sure that people passing the halls on Saturday would welcome the chance to pop in.”
Perth City Hall is being marketed for a third time, with applicants having until January 16 next year to provide the council with a convincing business case for the reuse of the building, on a 125-year lease.
Together with any newcomers, the Seventy Group which hopes to create a five-star hotel and the Perth City Market Trust which is championing an up-market food hall concept will also have to categorically prove they have the financial backing in place to deliver their plan.
In the meantime, Ms Summers would like to see it reopened intermittently for theatre productions, with shows taking place at a number of alternative venues while multi-million pound renovations are carried out at Perth Theatre.
“As a long-term subscriber I have spoken to others who, like myself, miss the atmosphere of being in a theatre and the City Halls would be the best temporary venue until renovations are complete,” she said.
Such a step appears unlikely given the council’s assessment of its condition, though significant sums have been invested in the hall since its closure on its general upkeep, heating and repair.