In the latest twist of the Willowgate Fishery saga, the centre has been backed by Perth Civic Trust.
Almost four weeks after being ordered to cease trading by Perth and Kinross Council, the Kinfauns company continues to gather support.
Trust chairwoman Eilidh Murray added her voice to the appeal over the enforced closure, expressing “puzzlement” at the reaction by the council’s planning department.
David Clarke, chairman of Tay Salmon Fisheries Company, which operates Willowgate, is ready to submit a retrospective application for it and work has begun on improving the access road, which was a bone of contention in the enforcement order.
Ms Murray said, “It is recognised that formal planning permission for change of use for the dilapidated bothy to become a cafe and tackle shop should have been in place. The owner’s representatives, however, have had ongoing contact with the planning department about change of use.
“I am puzzled that, despite the fact that Perth and Kinross Council has co-operated with the owner in his conservation and development work in the Tay Regeneration Project along with Fife Council, that its planning department has not appeared to be more helpful to one of the few philanthropists in our midst.
“Willowgate has not been a venture for personal profit. I know that many members enjoyed all that Willowgate offered. I cannot believe that such an asset will be permanently denied to the people of Perth and surrounding villages, as well as tourists on whom so much of our local economy depends.”
The enforcement action was viewed as unusual given the close working relationship the fisheries has had with groups, including the council, on a number of projects, such as a river taxi between Elcho Castle and Willowgate, which received Rural LEADER funding.
But there are still some who have little sympathy for Mr Clarke.
Perth businessman John Kettles does not understand how the fishery was able to operate without planning permission for so long.
The owner of Blast Design said he faced tough questioning from officers about any change he has made on the disused area of the upper harbour at Perth as part of a development.
“When they saw a photograph in the paper of a boat leaving the harbour, I had someone on the phone demanding to know why a pontoon had been built without permission,” said Mr Kettles. “I explained to them what it actually was, but it took me a while to pacify them.
“With Dave, however, right from the start he never had any planning permission. If he had an application in right at the beginning, like everyone else is supposed to, then he wouldn’t have these problems.”