An £800,000 revamp of shops seen as the heart of a Perth community has proved a huge success.
The eight shops in Dunkeld Road, Muirton, have seen new floors, ceilings, doors, windows and electrics installed in the overhaul which was completed last month.
The Post Office and Bayne’s Bakery received partial refurbishment works as some upgrading had already been undertaken by the existing occupants.
All units have been provided with the same base frontage in order to maintain a uniform appearance within the streetscape.
The work was undertaken as part of the overall £40 million regeneration of Muirton.
On Friday, Councillor Dave Doogan, convenor of Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and health committee, described the refurbishment of the shops as a “real success story”.
“This is a key milestone in the regeneration of Muirton,” he said.
“At one stage these shops, and the flats above them, were scheduled for demolition and I am delighted to have put a stop to that.
“The aim of the council is to safeguard and improve retail and community facilities and in doing so with these shops we are helping to transform the image of Muirton.
“The council will invest in the flats above the shops to bring them up to the highest standards also.”
He added: “These shops are a thriving retail centre on a key route in and out of our city and this transformation, which was undertaken with the utmost care for our commercial tenants, will allow for even more business opportunity.”
A council spokesperson said the six occupied units have reported that their businesses are experiencing “notable increases” in footfall thanks to the refurbishment.
“There is considerable interest in the two vacant units which are currently being marketed and it is hoped that they will be let to businesses that will provide further diversity to the existing shopping precinct,” she commented.
“Feedback from the local community has been very positive and there has been an enthusiastic public reaction to the improved appearance of the shops.”
