Perth and Kinross Council under fire for City Chambers

Jan 1 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH and Kinross Council has come under attack for turning a blind eye to the condition of the old City Chambers.

And yesterday a Big County businesswoman wondered if the local authority had run short of paint.

She was “appalled” at the condition of peeling window frames at the picturesque Victorian building at the foot of the High Street.

“I was ready to hit the sales when I noticed the dreadful state of the windows at street level.

“I suspect they haven’t seen a lick of paint in years.

“I’m no expert but the traditional wooden frames also seem to have deteriorated very badly,” she said. “There’s all this fuss about the City Hall and, of course, we’ve all seen how the owners of St Paul’s Church have ignored their responsibilities down the years. That building has become an embarrassment for Perth because of neglect. But this makes you wonder if the council is looking after their own properties.

“I read in the PA recently that the council was trying to force Bertie Browns in the South Street to change the colour of their shop front.

“I think they should be looking closer to home when it comes to protecting our heritage.”

The former Chambers building was designed by celebrated local architect Andrew Heiton and emerged as part of the Perth street scene in 1877-79.

No-one from Perth and Kinross Council was available for comment.