Sir, – Jim Valentine, Perth and Kinross Council’s deputy chief executive, states the authority is “open to ideas” on making the city centre more attractive to new businesses in the light of present severe retail decline, exemplified by the McEwens’ closure disaster.
The first idea to recommend is a drastic drop in business rates.
A fixed amount is payable irrespective of turnover. A tax cut could happen if the council curtailed its vanity projects, such as the costly Perth Theatre refurbishment.
This project includes an obviously superfluous additional building in Mill Street resembling an airport terminal, costing some £16.5 million, when all the expenditure it needs is perhaps £1m or less on redecoration and seating.
There are several other examples of substantial planned expenditure on fancy extra sports facilities, a new Tay crossing, and a civic square, all of which could be put on the back burner indefinitely without drawbacks to taxpayers or visitors.
These projects would have very little benefit in attracting visitors.
Some officials and councillors are set on the demolition of Perth City Hall, which would trash opportunities for its redevelopment as a community centre, its original purpose, when revival could be planned to make it a draw for visitors. The public have suggested many good ideas.
Also, Mr Valentine’s worries about bad air quality would be greatly worsened as would city centre commercial viability by the dire, ghastly prospect of demolition.
Perth and Kinross Council’s record in maintaining the Fair City’s financial and physical wellbeing has been poor.
Officials would get good ideas from visiting, Harrogate or Inverness.
Mr Valentine claims the council is open to ideas. About time too.
Isabel and Charles Wardrop. 111 Viewlands Road West, Perth.
Time to rethink Perth City Hall
Sir, – In urging action to halt Perth city centre’s decline as a shopping destination, Perth businessman James Barclay (April 6) expresses a growing consensus among business leaders.
The practical measures commonly advocated, however although well-intentioned can be no more than palliatives.
As politicians, planners, economists and society in general fail to recognise, but as anthropologists and sociologists understand very well, the origin of every town and city throughout history is as a social hub and thrives only so long as it sustains that primary function.
The human species is gregarious, but shopping, which until half a century ago was an exciting convivial activity in bustling high streets, is an impersonal chore today, featuring car parks, self-service checkouts and the internet.
A terrible price paid by society for this high-tech convenience is in an epidemic of loneliness.
The depressive effect of these ills on urban vitality throughout the UK was all the more acute soon after the property market crash of 2008 to 2012.
But Perth is suffering far more than most city centres because its major social hub, the City Hall, particularly the very popular Lesser Hall, was closed in 2005.
So it was no longer a case of the crowds staying away because the shops have closed as is still widely presumed, but rather decline as a social hub is the cause, not a consequence, of the decline in retailing.
It follows that revival of Perth as a shopping centre must be preceded or accompanied by its revival as a social hub.
Hence, the triple importance of the food market hall project not only to conserve this great building and vastly extend the present retail capacity, but above all to make shopping fun again and to bring the buzz back into town.
Vivian Linacre. Perth Market Place Ltd., 21 Marshall Place, Perth.
No evidence that beavers are good
Sir, – I refer to Dr Richard Luxmoore’s letter supporting the introduction of beavers to the Scottish countryside.
As he says, the National Trust for Scotland is a conservation charity, but he omits to say its activities are broadly based.
One wonders where is the practical expertise and experience that leads the trust to believe beavers are beneficial to the environment of Scotland?
We could say releasing ferrets into the wild could be beneficial since they would control the rabbit and rodent population, while ignoring the effect on other forms of wildlife and habitat.
Such one-sided opinion is surprising from the National Trust for Scotland and seems to demonstrate a lack of awareness of ecology in Scotland in the 21st century.
I recommend Dr Luxmoore study the Canadian experience, which shows that far from being an ecological benefit, uncontrolled growth of the beaver population is becoming an increasing ecological problem.
Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstruther.
Case of political expediency
Sir, – Ian G Richmond (April 7) warns us of the danger the named person scheme, which in his words “will impose state authority over its children”.
He goes on to praise Ruth Davidson and Kezia Dugdale’s opposition to the scheme.
Could he please explain why the scheme is backed by all of the children’s charities, including Aberlour, Barnardo’s, NSPCC, as well as groups representing teachers, social workers and nurses?
I mean, if this is such a sinister plot concocted by the Scottish Government, then why would these organisations back it? Ruth Davidson and Kezia Dugdale backed this scheme in its passage through parliament, but this was before it became politically useful as a weapon against the SNP.
George White. 2 Cupar Road, Auchtermuchty.
Sturgeon should say no to indyref2
Sir, – The latest GDP figures show Scotland’s growth rate at 0.9% is less than half that for the rest of the UK.
Why should this be?
Of course, the problems in the oil industry will not help, but there is something the Scottish Government could do to improve matters that will not cost them a penny.
Businesses investing for the future are the key to growth, but they hate uncertainty.
All the SNP need do is say they will not hold another independence referendum for at least the term of the next Scottish Parliament and that would take away that reason for businesses choosing to invest elsewhere.
But, of course, the First Minister has done the reverse, confirming she will restart the divisive debate in the summer.
What does that say about her priorities?
Keith Howell. White Moss, West Linton.
Patronising politicians
Sir, – Am I supposed to be impressed by our political leaders icing cakes, wearing high-visibility jackets, sitting on small chairs talking to bemused primary school children or playing rugby and butchering meat?
The latest Labour Party political broadcast had Kezia Dugdale answering questions from primary school children and smiling sweetly while answering in a very clear mummy voice.
I am tired of this kind of patronising nonsense and now just turn off.
It is of great concern to me that these politicians must believe we are taken in by this.
It would be refreshing to be treated like an intelligent adult interested in which party or person is best for our country.
Barbara Sturrock. 12 Invergowrie Drive, Dundee.