Campaigners aiming to save Perth City Hall will be out in force on Saturday in an effort to whip up public support.
Members of the Perth City Market Trust and Save Perth City Hall campaign plan to attend the Perth Farmers’ Market bearing “Save Our City Hall/Sign Here Now” placards.
They hope to persuade up to 1,000 people to take away and submit letters of objection to the council’s bid to seek listed building consent to demolish the Edwardian hall.
By making it easy for objectors to participate in the public consultation process, the groups hopes to demonstrate the depth of feeling in the city against the council’s plan.
“It is vital that we show the maximum support possible at this crucial time, during the period of objection,” said opponent of demolition Barry Pringle.
“It will be a pleasant and friendly occasion and I’m sure the public will very much support our efforts to preserve the city hall.”
The trust hopes to save the Edwardian building by converting it into an upmarket food hall and is currently attempting to persuade the council that it has financial backing.
A second plan, put forward by the Seventy Group, is bidding to secure the lease of the building from the council to convert it into a five-star hotel.
Perth and Kinross Council is in talks with both parties but is, nonetheless, moving ahead with plans to raze the hall to make way for a civic square.
Councillors unanimously decided that was the way forward after rejecting the trust’s bid as “unfeasible”.
They have, however, to convince Historic Scotland that there is no alternative to demolition before that can go ahead.
After the consultation, the matter will be taken before a special meeting of the council’s development management committee.
A submission to Historic Scotland will follow if councillors cannot be convinced that there has been a change in the hall’s circumstances.
Opponents have until March 14 to register their opposition.
For more information on the campaign, visit www.saveperthcityhall.co.uk.