City shops braced to fight retail park

Jan 16 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

CONTROVERSIAL plans to open a £9 million-plus retail park at Perth’s Inveralmond district have moved a step closer.

A bid by Edinburgh-based Kilmartin Property Group to bring the site of the former Caithness Glass plant out of mothballs by creating a mixed retail, manufacturing and visitor centre development was given a massive boost after councillors agreed to drop a previous directive forbidding trading until a glass factory is operational.

Caithness Glass was due to move into the largest of seven newly-created units at the site, but with the firm having instead decanted to Crieff, Perth and Kinross Council’s development control committee agreed to allow tenants to start occupying the tourist-led Ruthvenfield Road project.

However, around 190 city centre retailers have signed a petition opposing the scheme, while St John’s Shopping Centre and Perth City Centre Action Group have also objected.

Firms in the Fair City’s main retail zone claim removing occupancy restrictions will have an adverse impact on their livelihoods.

Kilmartin’s agent Phil Pritchard said that since consent for a replacement for the previous Inveralmond glass factory complex had been granted two years ago, Caithness Glass had been forced to move away from Perth to safeguard its viability.

“It was only after construction was under way and irreversible that the original agreement unravelled and the developer was left without its key tenant,” he explained.

“Had that been foreseen the development would not have proceeded. However, the decision to construct was not taken lightly and Caithness Glass were on board all the way.

“There was clearly no benefit to Caithness Glass leaving this scheme because costs had already been committed.”

Insisting the scheme was still aimed at tourists with cars, as a means of regenerating Perth’s economy, Mr Pritchard said the developers had provided support to allow the glass-makers to continue at Inveralmond, but alternative manufacturing retailers were now being sought.

“There is no question of competing with, or detracting from, established town centre trade because it appeals to a totally different market,” he said.

“Any new anchor tenant would need time to build up trade and will initially need to rely on the spin-off from other site operators.”

The spokesman said “no stone would be left unturned” in the search for a flagship tenant, and that a working party with council input was being given a year to achieve the goal.

Various local and national glassware and pottery manufacturers, craftware producers, brewers and textile firms have been earmarked as possible anchor tenants, but without success.

Despite the credit crunch, firms have expressed interest in the vacant properties, with outdoor sports and clothing specialists Tiso keen to move into the largest retail-only unit.

Mr Pritchard said the retailer would have a strong appeal to tourists, offering climbing walls, camping equipment and a cafe in an “experience-type” shopping event.

However, committee member Archie MacLellan said he was concerned about the potential impact on Perth city centre and Blackford, where the firm already operate.

“There’s no doubt it could almost certainly affect retail units in Perth who cover outdoor clothing,” he said.

“If Tiso decided to close their unit in Blackford it would have an adverse affect in that area.”

Strathearn councillor Helen McDonald echoed those views.

“I would not like to think Tiso’s could close at Blackford to come into Perth,” she said.

“The existing shop is a major tourist attraction and it would be wrong to do away with it.”

Kinross-shire member Sandy Miller said he would only “very reluctantly” support the bid.

“I have great concerns about the potential impact on the city centre,” he said.

“Certain businesses would probably operate better on the Caithness Glass site and many could simply transfer out there.

“Also, to suggest Tiso as a retailer will not have an impact on shops in Perth city centre absolutely beggars belief.”

Councillor Dennis Melloy said it was “very important” that the units were tourist-related.

“Some occupants can be here today and gone tomorrow so we need long and stringent leases.” he said.

Lending the bid his support, committee leader Willie Wilson was unable to resist taking a dig at the traders who had attempted to undermine the council’s retail strategy.

“Inveralmond is a stop-off site for literally millions of travellers and that was one of the attractions of the Caithness Glass site,” he declared.

“But let’s be quite clear, we are considering a report prepared by our officers on one specific issue and one particular condition of an existing planning consent.

“This development, which has already been deliberated over at great length and decided on, will not suck the lifeblood out of Perth town centre.

“Useful and constructive discussions have taken place with the applicant and it does not help if retailers who may have a vested interest in the subject look selectively at the issues.

“If there is a working group I would like to see the likes of the Chamber of Commerce getting involved.”

Members unanimously agreed to amend the planning consent conditions.