The beating heart of Perth will be revived if councillors can be convinced to see the beauty in a scheme for the City Hall’s resurrection, developers have told The Courier.
The first details of one of the schemes designed to save the Edwardian building have been revealed ahead of the January 16 closing date.
Two main components will make up the ambitious and, the developers believe, cost-effective scheme, which has already secured backing from UK organisations.
A food market hall showcasing the celebrated produce of Perthshire and Scotland would sit within the main hall, once home to concerts, conferences and dances.
Up to 50 individual producers could take up residence, creating a vibrant shopping experience and drawing visitors into the city centre.
The old Lesser Hall would be renamed the Community Hall, resuming its former role as a social hub for the city of Perth.
It would be refurbished and made available at “affordable” rates for events from coffee mornings and craft fairs to small conferences and wedding receptions.
The developer behind the scheme, Perth Market Place Limited, believes its dual plan is “the right prescription” for the city centre’s woes.
“Since 2005 (when the City Hall closed) Perth has declined not because of the recession but because it no longer has a social hub,” said a spokesman.
“It lacks a lively centre. It lacks personality, character and a heart, but we firmly believe that by restoring Perth City Hall we can revive the centre of Perth as a shopping and visitor destination, making it more attractive to residents and visitors alike.”
The developers are most excited by the prospect of returning community use to the building, providing a venue when the concert hall is unavailable or too expensive.
“The Community Hall will serve the city as the Lesser Hall did so well for 93 years,” the spokesman said.
“The difference is that it will now be very professionally managed.
The developer believes the two elements of the plan could be delivered by Christmas 2016, should the scheme get the go-ahead.
In the longer term, it could look to develop the upper balcony level of the hall, with consideration given to the creation of a restaurant and bar.
The spokesman added: “This area can be a social hub benefiting everyone in the city or it can be a social desert a big, empty space.
“We will be fighting to ensure that it becomes the former.
“We believe this can be a very exciting project for Perth, bringing colour, vitality and buzz back into the city.”