Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Perth fire victims to share in £250k emergency support from council

Councillors agreed the funding for Perth residents and businesses affected by the fatal fire at Scott Street earlier this month

Drone video footage of fire at Scott Street in Perth
The council funding will go to residents and businesses most affected by the Perth fire. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

People affected by a fatal fire in Perth city centre will share £250,000 emergency cash.

The funding from Perth and Kinross Council will provide emergency support to residents and businesses.

Around 50 families were forced to flee their homes when the blaze broke out above the Royal Bar on Scott Street.

They have been unable to return as work begins on the demolition of the building.

Businesses in the area were also forced to close.

They have been warned they could be out of their premises for six months.

Perth building ablaze with flames pouring from collapsed roof
The council is helping Perth businesses and residents in the aftermath of the fire. Image: Stuart Cowper

Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing proposed the emergency package when the finance committee met on Wednesday.

It was unanimously approved by councillors of all parties.

Mr Laing told colleagues: “It is still early days. And it is likely there will be a call for other funding. But it is important that the council stands with our citizens and our community in their hour of need.”

How council money will help Perth fire victims

The money will help residents facing rent shortfalls and top up other welfare payments they may be receiving.

It will go to businesses directly affected by the demolition and closures to help with immediate pressures and the costs of re-opening or relocating.

Police officer standing in front of fence blocking off Perth city centre street with construction machinery behind
Businesses face months of disruption as the demolition continues. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson

And it will support the wider council response, including teams dealing with traffic management, building safety and homelessness.

The Scottish Government confirmed last week it had activated the Bellwin Scheme.

It exists to provide extra cash to local councils in the event of major emergencies.

Grant Laing portrait with trees and greenery behind
Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing announced the immediate funding for fire victims. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson

Mr Laing said council officials are in discussions with senior civil servants about wider financial support.

But he warned: “That will take time.

“This motion is about getting financial support out to people and businesses right now.”

Businesses and residents share fears for future

Locals have said they face months of uncertainty following the fire, which left one person dead and four in hospital.

Steve Black, landlord the Royal Bar in Perth, which is to be demolished.
Steve Black, landlord of the Royal Bar, has no idea what the future holds. Image: Neil Henderson/DC Thomson

They include Craig Fraser, who runs The Loft and That bar next door to the blaze-hit building.

He and his staff helped rescue survivors from the blaze in the early hours of Saturday June 14.

He has been told his premises may have to stay closed for 24 weeks.

Steve Black, landlord of The Royal Bar, told The Courier he may have to rely on charity to survive after his business was left in ruins.

Perth and Kinross Council held a drop-in session for fire victims on Monday.

Conversation