By Dave Lord

EXACTLY A year after Perthshire played host to the world’s most powerful leaders council officials are welcoming a £6 million plus benefit for the area—and insisting there is still more to come.

The controversial G8 Summit was held last July at Gleneagles Hotel and brought with it massive disruption as violent protesters marred demonstrations in Auchterarder.

Major routes were brought to a standstill as anarchists set up road-blocks, causing confusion and major delays for motorists.

And numerous businesses in Auchterarder felt they had little option but to shut up shop duration the summit. They feared anything but boarded-up windows would become a target for angry demonstrators.

But 12 months later council chiefs insist it was all worthwhile.

The eyes of the world’s media were trained on the Perthshire summit—publicity the council believes money simply cannot buy.

“Perth and Kinross Council worked very hard with partners and local businesses to maximise the medium to long-term economic opportunities for the area which last year’s G8 Summit presented and that work will continue,” said a spokesman.

“A key priority of the council was to maximise every opportunity to promote Perthshire nationally and internationally.

“For example, earlier this year Perthshire was represented at the Tartan Day event in New York.

“Meanwhile, an economic impact assessment showed that the summit had generated £6.3 million within the economy of Perth and Kinross.”

The spokesman said the figure included contracts allocated in Perth and Kinross by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which generated £1.2 million, expenditure on planning, accommodation and staff payments by Tayside Police in Perth and Kinross of £3.8 million and £690,000 by other public agencies.

“The assessment also highlighted expenditure by journalists, delegates and protesters visiting the area amounting to £1.59 million,” he continued.

“In addition it took account of £1 million of tourism business displaced in Perth and Kinross as a result of the summit.”

Council leader, Councillor Jimmy Doig insists the benefits are still rolling in.

“Although we are very pleased with the significant short-term benefits identified in the assessment, it is important to stress that the full benefits will only be realised over the next few years,” he said.

“The council worked extremely hard to fully realise the potential which the G8 Summit handed the area.

“In years to come the fruits of that hard work will be seen.”

Councillor Alan Livingstone, convener of enterprise and infrastructure committee, said, “Tourism is vitally important to our economy and the world-wide exposure was an invaluable asset in promoting our unmatched landscape.

“While it is still too soon to make informed judgements, we are confident Perth and Kinross will experience a significant upturn in tourism numbers in the long-term as a result of this exposure.”