By Dave Lord

JUST DAYS after a councillor claimed tourists visiting Perth are having their first impressions tarnished by “throngs of alcoholics” a local mother has confessed she fears visiting the city centre.

The woman who would prefer not be named said she “dreads” walking through the town and insisted parts of Perth resemble a “drop-in centre”.

“As a female I dread the walk from the Canal Street multi-storey car park to South Street. I cannot count the number of times I have been approached by the unsavouries who congregate in the area,” she said.

“As a mother I dread walking along with my five-year-old as I have to try to explain to him why people are acting so appallingly.

“Even at five he knows you do not urinate in the street.”

The woman insists she is not alone in her concerns.

“Businesses in the city centre are losing revenue. It is simply too much trouble to try and get past the alcoholics to enter local premises,” she said.

“I have travelled extensively and lived in large cities and never have I seen such a dreadful state of affairs.

“The town thrives on tourism. However, tourists will not be encouraged to return when one of the main thoroughfares has the appearance of a drop-in centre.”

Carse of Gowrie councillor Mac Robert last week hit out as the council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee discussed plans for a new marketing strategy.

He said, “Visitors parking at the large car park on Canal Street and making their way to the centre of town have to pass throngs of alcoholics…Never mind marketing strategies—we must be more positive on the ground and take steps to tidy the area up.”

Police insisted the city centre is “closely monitored” and drinking in public is dealt with “rigorously”.