Rural businesses struggle with downturn

Dec 21 2010 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

BUSINESSES throughout Perthshire’s rural communities are continuing to suffer at the hands of the economic downturn, a local councillor warned yesterday.

The comments by local Tory leader Alexander Stewart were sparked by John Kellas, the convener of the enterprise and infrastructure committee, who yesterday branded businesses trading in the Fair City as enjoying a “very positive year”.

But Cllr Stewart declared: “Many of Perthshire’s rural communities continue to feel the full force of the economic downturn and they do not see much prospect for the immediate future.

“I acknowledge that unemployment across the region still gives us cause for concern and especially youth unemployment.”