Blow to Perth development plans

Sep 24 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH and Kinross Council’s ambitious vision for breathing life back into the city centre has been wrecked by the recession.

Demolition of the vacant 1960s Woolworths’ High Street building was to pave the way for a multi-million-pound shopping street linking the Concert Hall with the High Street.

But yesterday it emerged that developers are now proposing to sub-divide the empty four-storey store and create several smaller retail units.

It is believed that two operators are close to signing up.

Craigrossie Properties (No 1), understood to be headed up by Auchterarder businessman Duncan King, has lodged a planning application with the local authority aimed at the Woolies store which closed its doors in January last year, and the adjacent Thorntons shop, which is relocating to an alternative High Street location.

The company’s plans include the creation of two large retail units on the ground floor with access to the rear loading area.

Extensive internal work will be required, including removal of an escalator. Externally, the building will change dramatically, with many windows damaged beyond repair.

A blueprint to drive through a shopping street to the Concert Hall was hailed as “the lynchpin of the retail strategy for the 21st Century” and championed by the Kilmartin Property Group after extensive consultations with the council. But like many large-scale property developers, Kilmartin has suffered in the recession.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman said: “The council is disappointed that the Mill Street project proposed by a private developer will not now happen due to the financial situation, but understands the difficulties faced by the developer in bringing it to fruition at this moment in time.

“In the absence of the development going ahead we are encouraged by the fact that the owner of the former Woolworths store appears to have interest from several new retailers in occupying the site, and that adjacent empty shop premises could also have new tenants.

“The council would still like to see additional retail space opened up in Perth city centre.

“This is an issue which is being raised in the new Local Development Plan Main Issues Report, which is going to council for approval on Wednesday and then out for public consultation.”