An action plan has been proposed to safeguard the future of Perth city centre after the shock closure announcement by landmark department store McEwens.
The multifaceted strategy calls for improved business rates, an overhaul of parking fees and urgent decisions on the city hall and St Paul’s Kirk.
A major city centre attraction to draw people into the area is also needed.
The plan was announced by members of the city’s Conservative group, including Councillor Alexander Stewart and parliamentary candidates Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith.
In a joint statement, they claim a “fresh approach is needed to turn around the city centre as a shopping destination after years of concern about its decline”.
They have also questioned a highly anticipated cinema and shopping complex at Thimblerow, claiming it will not solve all of Perth’s problems.
The Tories have called on the Scottish Government to take action on business rates, claiming a recent rise to the Large Business Supplement would harm companies like McEwens.
But Deputy First Minister John Swinney last night argued that the Perth City Development Board should be allowed to continue with its vision for Perth’s future.
The group, which is chaired by McEwens boss John Bullough, is working on the ambitious Perth City Plan, which proposes a series of large-scale developments to make the area a more attractive place to live, work and shop.
Mr Fraser said: “The closure of McEwens is a dark day for Perth and it must act as a wake-up call to politicians who have sat on their hands or actively pursued policies which have made trading in the city so hard.”
Ms Smith added: “The SNP-led Perth and Kinross Council have hummed and hawed for way too long over both city hall and St Paul’s Kirk and real action is needed to turn both these buildings into something positive for the people of Perth.”
Mr Stewart, councillor for Perth City South, said: “Parking is still the biggest detractor for anyone looking to shop and visit Perth city centre and until the number of spaces increase; shoppers will continue to use out-of-town malls or visit Stirling and Dundee.”
Mr Swinney said: “For some time, the Perth City Development Board has taken forward plans to develop and strengthen Perth city centre, and it has been very important to maintain broad support for this work.
“In the light of the very sad news about McEwens, it is ever more important that the City Development Board takes forward an ambitious and dynamic agenda to strengthen the performance of the city centre.”