Perth City Market Trust continues fight to save and adapt Perth City Hall
Local organisation Perth City Market Trust (PCMT) is disappointed to learn that Jones Lang La Salle has not recommended to the Council their bid to transform Perth City Hall.
The marketing brief from Jones Lang LaSalle sought an end-user with a proposal that delivered economic regeneration benefits for Perth city centre. This is very much the aim of PCMT’s proposal which focuses on transforming the building into a vibrant market hall for fresh local produce, with scope for local producers, small businesses and young trainees in the food and drink sector to work together. The proposal would significantly contribute to creating a vibrant city centre, not only by providing jobs in the Market Hall, but by drawing visitors into the area and to other restaurants and business in Perth, delivering a wider economic boost in the city.
It is unclear what commercial benefit, if any, the current alternative, to simply demolish the building, would have for the city. PCMT would welcome a comprehensive assessment of that option, alongside their proposal.
The proposal by PCMT is based on heritage-led regeneration, a tried and tested method of redeveloping the heart of towns and cities through the reuse of historic buildings. It is a community-driven proposal and as such the project needs the active support of the Council to be successful. PCMT has already secured the support of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, the leading regeneration charity in the UK that has advised on countless similar projects. In these projects, benefits to the wider community have been realised through developing strong partnerships with local authorities, community groups and developers. It is not unusual by any means to seek public funding for capital works in such cases, indeed many key projects including Verdant Works, Dundee; Anchor Mills, Paisley, and Middleport Pottery in Stoke on Trent (an £8.7m project led by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust) received significant capital funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and similar funding bodies.
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, said: ‘Our aim is to work with the local community trust, Perth City Market Trust, to restore and adapt the building so it can be a hub for local people and local produce. The sale of produce will promote further regeneration in the area and create jobs, but our aim is not purely commercial, it is to use this important building in a way that will create the maximum benefit for the community.’
Following the report from Jones Lang LaSalle, the Council will decide whether to approve the recommendation on 11th December. It must now decide whether a sustainable, heritage-led regeneration scheme should be encouraged and supported or whether Perth City Hall, a listed building with a potential future as a catalyst for regeneration, should be demolished.
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For further information:
Claire Thompson, Communications, The Prince's Regeneration Trust
T:020 3262 0562 E:
Marcus Stanton, Communications, The Prince's Regeneration Trust
T:020 8617 0210 M:07900 891287 E:
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Prince’s Regeneration Trustsupports and strengthens communities by rescuing and reusing important British buildings at risk of being lost forever through demolition or decay. Our priority is to work in areas which will benefit most from the economic regeneration and growth we deliver. www.princes-regeneration.org
Perth City Market Trust is a company limited by guarantee. PCMT is in the process of seeking charitable status. PCMT Chairman is Bruce Linton.