Cash win for Perth

Nov 17 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

Cash win for Perth

THERE was mixed reaction to a £750,000 slice for Perth city centre from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Across the country projects aimed at revamping 41 high streets were awarded funding in the second tranche of the scheme, yet while there was good news that Perth was on the list of recipients, only a fraction of the Fair City’s £2.8m bid was allocated.

Main winners in the pay-out totalling £20m were Brechin, Stornoway, Kilmarnock and Clydebank.

The £750,000 allocated for Perth will enable some city centre projects to proceed, but there is no cash from the pot for help to refurbish Perth Theatre or reinstate the historic railings throughout Perth.

The leader of Perth and Kinross Council, Councillor Ian Miller said: “This announcement of £750,000 is welcome news but it is, however, less than the £2.8m we bid for from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

“The bids we have received partial funding for are the improvements to Perth High Street to enhance the area’s environment and benefit residents, visitors and local businesses; the refurbishment of the Fair Maid’s House by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society for tourism, educational and cultural use, which ties into our wider aspirations for developing a broader cultural campus in Perth; and the proposals by St John’s Kirk to enhance the kirk as a civic, religious, cultural and tourist venue.

“We were unfortunately unsuccessful with a bid by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust to extend the reinstatement of historic railings throughout Perth, and a bid by Horsecross Ltd to assist with the refurbishment of Perth Theatre. I am disappointed that these worthwhile projects have failed to secure funding from this source.

“As a result of the announcement today, we will now be urgently discussing with our local partners how the allocation for Perth can be put to best use between the three successful projects. I am keen to ensure that these plans to enhance and improve the city of Perth move forward as soon as possible.”

Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for Perth, and Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, have given a warm welcome to Perth’s inclusion in the announcement by the Scottish Government of a further list of towns who are to benefit from the £60 million set-up to revitalise Scotland’s town centres.

Mr Wishart said: “I am extremely pleased to learn that £750,000 from the Scottish Government will be invested in improvements to Perth city centre including refurbishments for iconic Perth buildings the Fair Maid’s House and St John’s Kirk.

“This money will also assist with design fees for the upgrade to Perth’s beautiful Edwardian theatre and improve the streetscaping on Perth High Street which will be welcomed by retailers and shoppers alike.”

Ms Cunningham continued: “In August, the Scottish Government announced the first towns to benefit from the £60 million fund and today a number of other high streets have been awarded help from the fund. I am delighted that Perth is on that list and that our city centre will benefit from such significant investment from the Scottish Government.

“Culture and commerce, tourism and trade, will all benefit from this funding boost.”

Perthshire Conservatives have welcomed the announcement and have praised all those involved in the successful bid for Perth. Perth and North Perthshire Conservative candidate Peter Lyburn believes that Perth’s businesses and shoppers will be the winners as a result of the investment: “It is excellent news that Perth City Centre will see £750,000 worth of investment and I warmly congratulate everyone involved in this successful bid.

“Perth’s businesses and shoppers will see real changes and benefits as a result of this funding, which has been secured through the Scottish Conservatives ‘Town Centre Regeneration Fund’ initiative. Now that Perth has been awarded this funding to move the city centre forward, there must be confirmation that the incinerator proposal will be thrown out. There is no point spending nearly a million pounds on improving our centre city if there is then a massive incinerator erected, which will dominant the skyline and pump out fumes all day long. The Scottish Conservatives will continue to stand up and deliver for Perth.”

Mid-Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said: “I congratulate everyone involved in Perth’s successful bid for funding from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund. As a result of Scottish Conservative pressure on the Scottish Government, businesses and the people of Perth are seeing real investment in their city centre.

Fellow Mid-Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Liz Smith said: “I welcome this £750,000 for Perth and it is an appropriate time to receive the funding as the city looks forward to celebrating its 800th anniversary next year. We are lucky in Perth to have so many dedicated businesses and individuals who want to improve our city centre.”

A spokesperson for Horsecross Arts stressed the unsuccessful Perth Theatre element of the Town Centre regeneration grant was not the end of the road for plans to refurbish the much-loved Edwardian building: “We were aware that PKC had submitted a bid on our behalf for the theatre redevelopment but we understand that it was deemed ineligible because work had to be underway in the current financial year. We are still in the early stages of developing our exciting proposals. We are delighted for the successful projects.”