The Queen’s visit to Perth could herald an awakening of opportunities to promote the city.
Members of the Conservative group on Perth and Kinross Council have high hopes that the focus upon Scotland’s newest city can be a catalyst for change.
Members also hope the newly-elected council will bring with it ”new ideas, fresh energy and a clear vision for Perth as a city reborn”.
While describing it as the hub of the council area, councillors Alan Livingstone and group leader Mac Roberts said urgent action is needed to secure its future.
They claimed business and retail spending had been allowed to leak to Dundee and Stirling, and said repeated planning delays had derailed plans for the rejuvenation of the city centre for too long.
There will be at least a year-long wait for a resolution to the city hall saga after Historic Scotland rejected plans for its demolition to create a civic square.
The council has been forced to place the Edwardian building on the market once more and developers are again hoping to prove the viability of their ideas for its retention.
The Tory group, however, said that this latest delay should not hold up efforts to improve Perth as they outlined a series of ambitions for the future.
M Livingstone said: ”We live in a beautiful part of Scotland and Perth fully reflects this. As elected members we dare not rest on our laurels however and more needs to be done as quickly as possible to add vibrancy to the centre so that the city centre experience for residents, retailers and visitors is improved.”
He added: ”Decisive action needs to be taken about the future of the city hall as we have halted between two opinions for too long.
”Perth Theatre is a valued asset but it is tired and it craves a substantial makeover.
”It is vital, however, that when major changes are made in the city centre, they succeed in making it welcoming and prosperous.”