Rejuventating the town square could be the key to attracting an influx of new visitors to Aberfeldy, the local authority believes.
The town’s reputation as a hub for leisure tourism has been growing in recent years and Perth and Kinross Council is keen for that to continue.
It believes that Aberfeldy can become a more prominent tourism destination if an attractive town square is created to serve both visitors and the community.
The overall aim of the project is to create a sense of place in Aberfeldy and for the central space to be flexible to increase the town’s capacity to hold events in the future.
The new square will help promote the area as an all-year-round destination, assisting job sustainability and creation and, hopefully, reducing reliance on seasonal trends.
Residents are invited to attend a public consultation event taking place between Tuesday October 21 and Thursday 23 to help shape the plans and to give their feedback on a number of options for Aberfeldy Square.
The consultation will take place between noon and 7pm each day at the Locus Centre.
The council said: “Feedback gained from these sessions will be invaluable to the project moving forward.
“These sessions will also provide the opportunity to ask questions and get more information about the project.”
Along with the surrounding area, Aberfeldy has many attractions for visitors, offering stunning scenery for walking and excellent watersports.
It is also the hub for the Colin McRae Rally, which takes place each year in Highland Perthshire.
Within Aberfeldy itself, the Birks offer a stunning destination for walkers, while the Watermill and Birks Cinema have added to its cultural offering.
The cinema is a huge success story for the town, breathing new life into a decrepit corner of the square that is at the heart of this latest project.
Its rebirth after years of alternative use and, finally, dereliction came about thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Birks Cinema and their supporters.