The frontrunners in the battle to save Perth City Hall have reached a critical stage with their ambitious blueprint for its future.
In the latest step in their quest to breathe new life into the vacant, listed building in the heart of the city, Perth City Market Trust has made a direct appeal to investors to come forward and support its vision of creating a Food Market Hall.
With the future of the Edwardian building hanging in the balance if no viable use can be identified controversial plans to demolish the hall to make way for a civic square could re-emerge the trust knows it must attract significant backing.
Vivian Linacre, of the trust, said: “Now we are about to release a consultative brochure for the purpose of engaging with stakeholders and interested parties, official bodies, business interests, community groups and the general public, who are all invited to participate in the development of this vital project for the regeneration of the whole city centre.”
The concept of Scotland’s first modern Food Market Hall is one that the trust believe will capture the imagination of the public across Scotland and prove to be the “magnet” to reverse the fortunes of Perth city centre.
“A state-of-the-art market hall is the readiest and most effective form such a magnet could take,” says the brochure.
“For this is the vital new form of retail, the first in Scotland but familiar and highly successful in every other advanced country in the world, selling every variety of the one essential commodity food for which we all have to go shopping every week several times a week.
“The freshness, colour, variety and sociability of a market hall are its special attractions.”
The trust maintains: “The market hall itself will become a major visitor and tourist attraction, unique to Perth.”
The plan also includes a new tourist shop and visitor centre, which would be constructed within the city hall entrance hall.
The full brochure can be viewed at tinyurl.com/cityhallplans.