Local people key to exciting Coupar Angus changes

Sep 7 2010 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

RESIDENTS and businesses in Coupar Angus were yesterday urged to actively involve themselves in a series of exciting changes occurring in their town.

Community council chairwoman Ann Campbell explained how in recent years groups within the east Perthshire town have attempted to revive its appearance and make it more welcoming for local people and visitors.

And she emphasised the importance of the whole community in ensuring that the efforts are not wasted.

“It [the town] was looking a little degraded and was needing updated,” Mrs Campbell declared.

“Around three years ago, the old co-operative building was transformed into flats, that was the first major change and it has led on from there.”

The upper floors of the former Royal Hotel have also been converted into flats by Ancaster Property Developers, who also plan to create a bistro on the ground floor.

Coupar Angus Regeneration Trust (CART) is currently overseeing landscaping work, which includes installing benches and planting trees at The Cross and High Street.

The construction work, now past its scheduled completion date of July 23, is tendered to JKF Group and funded by a governmental grant of £200,000 under the Town Centre Regeneration Fund initiative.

Alterations to the centre of Coupar Angus follow the redevelopment of Larghan Victory Park, which has recently won its second Green Flag award.

Mrs Campbell continued: “When you start something you have to keep it going and guarantee continuity.

“We need to get a group of people together that have the conviction and enthusiasm to come in and keep it going. We have to encourage youngsters to help, it is going to be their future.”

In addition to preserving the improvements, Mrs Campbell also explained her desire to see locals turn up to the future events planned for the revamped town centre.

“We have thought of trying a farmers’ market, holding a Christmas tree light switch-on and reviving the Horse Fair next year,” she revealed.

“If we get good vibes from those events, we will be encouraged to carry on, even if we could organise four or five events a year. It is up to the people of Coupar Angus to use what they have got and I hope they do.”

After praising local chicken processing plant Vion for its recent announcement of an extra 150 jobs, Mrs Campbell went on to acknowledge enterprise as being key to the town.

“Vion is hoping to attract local people to the new jobs, and the new Balhousie care home is meant to be finished by the end of the year and will create around 30 jobs.”

CART project manager Jill Davies supported Mrs Campbell’s sentiments. She said: “Future funding, I feel, should be about recreating attractions for the town, be they festivals or one or more physical attractions.

“There is so much potential and enthusiasm here in the community, anything is possible.’’