The health of Perth and Kinross as it pulls free of the devastation wrought by recession will be evaluated by a wide-reaching new study.
For years now Perth and the surrounding region have been fighting to recover from the crippling global downturn that has threatened to destroy communities across the country.
Despite its affluent reputation, Scotland’s newest city has been far from immune and both it and traditional tourist destinations such as Crieff have felt its shuddering effects.
In recent months, however, there have been clear signs that recovery is at hand with renewed confidence within the business and retail sectors.
Long empty shop units are also being filled, with Perth’s High Street and George Street benefiting, and Kinross seeing some of its historic buildings gradually being brought back into use.
Now a new study, costing the not insignificant sum of £9,000, is to assess just how far the area has come and how much more needs to be done to return it to growth.
More than 1,200 residents have already taken part, while as many as 250 businesses in Perth and Kinross have also been involved.
It is looking at the health of Perth city centre, Crieff and Kinross, while further studies will also be carried out in town centres in other parts of the region.
The results will be reported in due course and could influence future planning by Perth and Kinross Council.
Such a widespread survey has not been carried out for some years and it will be used to update work done by the council in 2009 and 2011, since when there is expected to have been considerable change.
Among those awaiting the results with a sense of acceptation will be Perthshire Chamber of Commerce.
Chief Executive Vicki Unite told The Courier: “It will be very interesting to compare the results of this exercise with those of the previous surveys in light of the current economic climate.
“Our habits, with regards to shopping and technology, are changing rapidly and this has had a huge impact on the sustainability of our city centres and those involved in retail.”
Ms Unite said the Chamber’s own business confidence survey had illustrated the renewed confidence within the business sector, together with an increase in sales and business overall.
Perth and Kinross Council said the study formed an important part of its examination of the economic health of city and town centres in the area, with the aim of maintaining and enhancing the vitality and viability of these retail centres.
It will also establish whether the way shoppers use their local amenities for buying food and other significant items has changed in the past five years.
A spokeswoman said: “This household and business survey looks at the health of Perth city centre, Crieff and Kinross.
“Residents throughout Perth and Kinross and businesses in the three centres have been contacted. “
The results from the survey will be reported to Councillors in due course and we also plan to carry out similar town centre ‘health checks’ in other parts of Perth and Kinross in the future.