Knock down city halls demand gains support

Dec 16 2008 By Alison Anderson

A GROUNDSWELL of public opinion in favour of demolishing Perth’s vacant City Halls has been gathering momentum over the past five weeks.
The debate was re-ignited by a letter in Friday’s PA by John Bullough, the chairman and managing director of leading city retailer, McEwen’s of Perth.

In his letter, Mr Bullough, called for Perth and Kinross Council to summon up “courage and foresight” to make the demolition of Perth City Halls happen – a decision which he claims “could put Perth back on the map”.

Mr Bullough said yesterday: “Since Friday I have had about 20 people, including business leaders, accosting me in the street with their support, and nobody has disagreed with my views.

“I told them all to write in to the PA with their support, because now is the time to stand up and be counted.”

Mr Bullough’s letter advocated demolition of the listed City Halls to create a public open space for markets, outdoor events, expansion of the Cafe Quarter and revitalising South St John’s Place.

Speaking to the PA yesterday, Perth Civic Trust chairman Roddy Young said Mr Bullough’s letter reflected the views of the heritage watchdog.

But he cautioned that patience would be required, given the local authority’s legal commitment to Wharfside – the company awarded the contract for the City Halls regeneration – and a potential £1m penalty payment.

“John Bullough's excellent letter spelled out in the clearest terms what many now feel. His views are certainly those reflected by the Civic Trust,” said Mr Young.

“Those who attended a recent Civic Trust planning seminar heard a most welcome intervention and response by Councillor Willie Wilson to questions and discussion on the City Hall.

“Although couched in political language he gave a clear intimation that the frustration felt by Mr Bullough is shared by many within the council.

“He explained there was little they could do until the conditions of the contract with Wharfside were time expired.

“That is unlikely to be before the middle of next year. Any attempt to short circuit this would cost a considerable sum of money – estimated by many to exceed £1m. That’s money the council can ill afford.

“In the meantime, we are assured that council officers are giving serious thought to the future which, I hope, will be along the lines suggested by Mr Bullough.

“The message from the Civic Trust is that when the time comes, we hope to see a robust and quick decision taken.

“The council should have courage and look to the future taking the best interests of Perth to heart, and I suspect that is unlikely to mean the provision of yet another retail space.

“In the meantime we should perhaps blow the whistle and show a red card to any further discussion on the future of the City Hall. Let us conserve our energy until next year when we may need it.”

And Perthshire Chamber of Commerce president Mike Beale was another voice backing Mr Bullough’s stance.

He said yesterday: “The first thing is to welcome Mr Bullough’s balanced approach to the problem.

“The Chamber is convinced that the city centre is the font of all development. It is the heartbeat of the area and has to be promoted, and the City Hall is part of that issue.

“Therefore, the time is right, notwithstanding any issues of the lease, to reconsider and hope that a community agreed approach to the City Hall site can be promoted whether within the existing agreement or in a new one.

“I think that is up to future discussions.

“There certainly seems to be a groundswell to have the issue reconsidered, and the future of the City Halls should be seen in a context of providing a healthy city centre.”