An influential group has thrown its weight behind demolishing the B-listed Perth City Hall.
Having lain empty for five years, Perth Civic Trust now believes there is “little hope for a sound and profitable future” for the city hall.
Perth and Kinross Council is considering the results of a public consultation exercise which was launched after plans to convert the Edwardian building into a retail emporium foundered.
Although much loved by many Perth residents who would like to see the building conserved at all costs, others now believe it has reached the end of the line.
The civic trust reported that it made its decision with “great reluctance” but felt that waiting for an upturn in the economic climate was not an option.
“The process to find alternative uses has been tried and failed,” the trust said.
In its deliberations the trust considered the older and more significant St John’s Kirk, which would enjoy a much more open aspect if the city hall was demolished.
A long-held argument for demolition has been that if the city hall were to be built today it would be opposed for standing so close to, and dominating, the historic kirk.
The trust’s executive committee has come down in favour of an open space replacing the city hall if demolition proceeds.
“This will need to be well designed but an open space could provide the city with a new hub,” members said.