By Dave Lord

A COUNCILLOR has spoken out after a survey of businesses in Blairgowrie showed that 90% of respondents believe Perth and Kinross Council is not doing enough to promote the town.

Alan Livingstone, convener of the local authority’s enterprise and infrastructure committee, was concerned to hear of the survey’s results but urged caution among those keen to interpret them.

He had warm words for Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser, who organised the questionnaire, but insisted the council was already gearing up to take action.

“Mr Fraser has done well to survey Blairgowrie businesses,” Mr Livingstone said. “The response rate is good and speaks well of the level of interest the businesses of Blairgowrie have in their market.”

The councillor was particularly disappointed to hear how some businesses had experienced a massive drop in trade following Tesco’s move from the High Street.

“I share the disappointment of the businesses which have experienced a drop in trade and especially those whose decrease appears to be substantial,” Mr Livingstone said.

“However, Perth and Kinross Council is seriously interested in Blairgowrie and eastern Perthshire and is engaging with the area on a number of enterprises.”

Concerns over traffic—also raised in the survey—are, Mr Livingstone insisted, set to be discussed by the authority.

“The enterprise and infrastructure committee will debate and decide changes to some traffic arrangements for Blairgowrie in a few days’ time,” he said.

“The recommendations have the support of locally elected members.

“Furthermore, a meeting will take place very shortly with council officers, the Blairgowrie councillor and senior managers of Tesco to discuss possible uses of the redundant Tesco building.

“The old Tesco building does not belong to the council and it is not in our gift to dictate what happens to it,” the councillor continued.

“However, like local business people, we hope to influence its future use.”

While insisting he does not wish to devalue the findings of Mr Fraser’s survey, Mr Livingstone said a few points should be borne in mind.

“Retail sales are under threat almost universally as internet retailing increases,” he said.

“In a free market economy where competition is encouraged, all businesses have the major responsibility to protect themselves firstly and to develop and further prosper thereafter.”