By Richard Burdge

THE BUSINESS community has rejected an opportunity to revitalise the centre of Perth.

Faced with the prospect of having to fund the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) status, they voted against Perth undertaking a pilot scheme of the Scottish Executive initiative.

Pioneered in England, it sees businesses fund projects which then offer additional services to those provided by the local authority.

They might include city ambassadors, extra street cleaning, graffiti removal or national marketing campaigns.

The negative response to BIDs was revealed at a meeting of the Perth and Kinross branch of the Federation of Small Businesses held on Wednesday night in Perth Concert Hall.

Local MP Pete Wishart, who attended the meeting, described the decision as “disappointing.”

However, Louise Wight of Perth City Partnership said, “This is something the business community could look at in the future.

“It was a positive process which opened up dialogue for the future.

“It is a new concept and it is difficult to get it over to people.”

Only 11% responded to a questionnaire circulated to businesses, and the majority were against going for BIDs status.

Audience members expressed sympathy with the decision, pointing out many firms cannot afford another financial burden.

The meeting heard a presentation from FSB branch chairman Murray Duncan on the plight of High Streets.

He did not focus particularly on Perth, but spoke in general terms about the decline of small, independent traders across the UK.

The reasons are complex, said Mr Duncan.

Large national retailers and out-of-town developments are often blamed, but this is only part of the picture, he said.

To avoid further decline the FSB has suggested measures including a moratorium on out-of-town retail developments, improved city centre parking and rates relief for small businesses.

They believe planning controls are inadequate and claim, while the opening of new supermarkets were heralded as creating jobs, the net effect is a loss of employment elsewhere in retail.

To counter problems faced by independents, campaigns to encourage people to shop locally were successfully mounted in England and could be copied in Scotland, the FSB suggests.

Among those at the meeting, which was hailed as a successful forum for airing concerns, were Councillors Ian Miller, Margo Lennie, Lewis Simpson and Alan Livingstone.

Mr Wishart yesterday met with Miss Wight to discuss the outcome of the BIDS consultation.

He said, “BIDS was an exciting and innovative initiative that has proven to be a real success in England adding real value to the city centre experience and benefiting local businesses.

“I fully understand the reasons behind this rejection, though.

“City centre businesses feel under pressure, being over-taxed and over-regulated, and under real pressure from out-of-town developments.

“The continuing development and well-being of the city centre is absolutely crucial for everybody interested in the city of Perth.

“I will now work closely with all involved to bring real progress in making our city the best small city in the country.”