A campaign to allow the public access to the mothballed Perth City Hall during Doors Open Day is hoping for a last surge of support.
The online petition calling on the council to take part in this month’s event on September 26 and provide a brief glimpse of the interior of the Edwardian building closes on Monday at noon.
More than 1,200 people have backed the petition but the council maintains the building is not in a suitable condition for the public to enter.
Barry Pringle, of the Save Perth City Hall, remains unconvinced by the argument and said culture secretary Fiona Hyslop had contacted the council on the group’s behalf to see if it might change its mind.
“Her office contacted the council and the same reply was reiterated: ‘The council is concerned that the building currently lacks services, areas of floor have been removed for building investigations, there is a lack of fire apparatus, and in summary, it is for health and safety reasons that (the council) have decided not to open the building’,” he said.
“Surely we have a right to have the building inspected independently, and not just have to believe the council’s statement? We must demand to see such a surveyor’s report, if one exists.”
The council said it had nothing to add to its earlier statements on the subject.
The future use of the hall will next be discussed on October 7, following a deferral to allow councillors to raise their concerns about the viability of two rescue plans one for a market hall and another for a hotel with Historic Scotland.
Campaigners fear that the council may wish to resurrect a previous proposal to demolish the building and replace it with a city square.
Mr Pringle said the support for the petition which will be emailed to the council and Historic Scotland once it is closed shows the strength of affection the public has for the City Hall.
“People across the world have shown in the strongest possible terms how ardently they would like to be able to see inside the city hall, and how much they insist that the building must not be destroyed,” he said.
“So many people have sent in their comments not only on how much they love the building, but of all the numerous uses the building could have today if the council were not so determined, despite the feelings of people from all walks of life, to demolish this listed building.
“Once the building is knocked down it has gone forever and nothing like it would ever be seen again.”