An upturn in the fortunes of Perth’s St Catherine’s Retail Park has been welcomed by councillors.
As a new store which has created 80 jobs opens today, it emerged that tenants have now been secured for the remaining empty units.
For the first time in nearly a decade the retail park on the edge of the city centre will soon be operating at full capacity.
Particularly pleasing for councillors was the news given to them this week that the high-profile former B&Q store, which has lain empty for years since the retailer moved up the Crieff Road, will soon be revitalised.
While the identity of who will be moving into the store was being kept under wraps, the fact that new life would soon be breathed into the building was welcomed as a boost to the economy.
“This is great news,” said Councillor John Kellas, convener of the council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee.
He said it was positive news for the local economy and he praised the work that had been done in improving the retail park and the sub-dividing of units to make it more attractive to new retailers.
A Costa coffee shop had opened in the last few weeks which was proving popular, said Mr Kellas.
Today The Range, a home, leisure and garden store, opens up in the former Homebase store in the retail park.
Provost Liz Grant opened the store and Chris Dawson of the company said: “Perth is our first new store of 2016. It is part of a huge expansion plan with many more new stores planned for this year.
“We are confident that Perth is the perfect location for The Range and we would like to thank the local council for all of their ongoing support in the run-up to the opening.”
The Range will be running a competition for customers to win vouchers and the first 50 customers will receive giveaways.
Tomorrow there will be further entertainment for customers and face-painting for children.