The row over Perth City Hall’s future has spilled over on to the national radio airwaves as new pictures emerge of the long-empty building’s interior.
The Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2 came live from Scone Palace on Tuesday as a crowd awaited the arrival of the Olympic torch.
A topical debate show from Perthshire could hardly ignore the city hall issue, which divide opinions among the public and business community.
Vine, who was denied access to the building by Perth and Kinross Council at the weekend, hosted developer Vivian Linacre, who wants to turn it into an upscale market hall and McEwens owner John Bullough, who wants it razed to make way for a civic square.
Mr Linacre said: ”It’s one of the most important civic buildings in Scotland and one of the few survivors from the golden era of Scottish stone building from the end of the 19th century to the First World War.
”There are only two instances (of civic squares) which have been imposed on people in Scotland.
“One is in front of the Caird Hall in Dundee … it’s never been used. The other is Festival Square in Edinburgh, which is a squalid nuisance.”
Mr Bullough said: ”Perth is unique in Britain, if not in western Europe, in its size and historical importance in that it doesn’t have an open civic space to run events.
”Perth was an ancient market town and we need an open square to get footfall into it.”
The debate came as the first pictures of the hall’s interior since it was closed were released by prospective buyers.
They were taken by Perth City Market Trust, fronted by Mr Linacre, during a recent tour and handed to The Courier to prove the building is sound.
Historic Scotland has ordered the council to examine alternatives to demolition.
The group’s James Cormie said: ”The frequently repeated statement … that Perth City Hall is a ‘rotting shell’ have now been shown conclusively to be completely untrue and utterly without foundation.
”The excellent condition of the interior is clearly evident and Perth and Kinross Council’s property management department is to be congratulated on the standard to which it has managed to maintain this fine building at minimal cost during the eight years it has been out of use.
”Historic Scotland have given their decision that the building should not be demolished so let us have an end to this ridiculous squabble and unite to bring the city hall back into use as a prestigious, imposing, popular and valuable hub making a major contribution to the regeneration of Perth city centre.”