Perth’s pricey business rates was one of the hot topics at the latest gathering of city centre retailers on Monday evening.
The Fair City was said to compare badly against well-placed sites of similar sizes such as the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Firms were told that the rates set-up was already being considered at Scottish Government level for reworking.
And the Perth City Centre Summit saw a call to action of Police Scotland over beggars in the city centre with a move to have police officials talk to traders.
Around 80 people met at the Royal George Hotel for the summit called by MP Pete Wishart and John Swinney MSP. Several councillors were also in attendance.
The meeting was designed to provide an update in progress of matters which emerged at the last summit in May, ranging from promoting Perth to parking availability and convenience.
Since May’s meeting further details of the £12m lighting strategy for Perth have emerged, with events such as the mini-tattoo, the Treaty of Perth celebrations and the launch of the city of culture bid last month also said to have provided fantastic coverage and opportunities for Perth.
Perth and North Perthshire MP Mr Wishart said: “Since we last met Perth has enjoyed some fantastic events surrounding its history. It has also taken steps to answer a few questions such as at Perth City Hall.
“John (Swinney) and I hope that traders will get behind our City of Culture bid and the other efforts to be part of this. It’s a great prospect going forward, putting us on the map not just across the UK, but throughout Europe, win or lose.
“Dundee entered the race and lost to Hull, and people believe that Dundee got the V&A and its brilliant Riverside regeneration on the back of that ambitious entry.”
From the floor firms complained the rates were said to be “too onerous” if looking to set up or expand in Perth.
Mr Swinney said that the complexities also meant a Blairgowrie firm with two units was charged rates over both which hit their budgets.
Traders and representatives quizzed Mr Swinney, Mr Wishart and council leader Ian Miller on developments.
They established:
•The Thimblerow mixed use development including a cinema, homes and parking is progressing with Expresso Properties and a planning application is expected soon.
•There will be no ‘creeping pedestrianisation’ of other parts of Perth city centre following the creation of the cultural quarter at Mill Street.
•Perth and Kinross Council cannot step in to shore up St Paul’s Church until at least December 5, with the owner currently under notice to carry out works.
•A closing date for interested parties to buy the former McEwens site in St John Street is expected from the administrators soon
•Changes to Perth city centre parking – with around 47 more spaces – could be introduced in October.
Cllr Miller said part of the revamped parking set-up was to reintroduce longer stay at Thimblerow.
He admitted: “We (Perth and Kinross Council) got it wrong on Thimblerow, we hold our hands up. The car park has been busier since we reintroduced the longer stay periods.”
Another of the key issues raised at May’s meeting was parking in general. Cllr Miller announced that PKC was rolling out improved parking convenience with cashless payments to follow.
And he also underlined that PKC was committed to the city, declaring that the 2 High Street council headquarters was due to reopen in October.
He said: “That will see 500 members of staff with the council brought back into the city, spending money in the High Street.”
He added that PKC had considered moving out of the city centre for a less costly office programme.
The £10m scheme at the former GA headquarters has proved controversial, including the proposal to relocate the council chamber downstairs. But the councillor said: “We wanted to remain in the city centre.”
During open discussion, traders such as Beaton Lindsay from DG Lindsay and Son, highlighted Perth’s potential as an outdoor events base, including using the River Tay.
Richard Taylor of Studio East Architects summed up the feeling: “Perth needs to be a destination and that extends beyond retail.
“There needs to be something going on of great significance to get people in and then get them shopping.”