Plans unveiled for former bank headquarters

ONE of Perth’s most highprofile empty buildings is in line for a £1 million-plus investment.

The Clydesdale Bank relocated from its South Methven Street base to the High Street more than two years ago.

Its former city HQ has lain empty ever since, joining the adjacent St Paul’s Church and former Clachan Bar and Quality Cafe buildings opposite in a triangle of dereliction.

Per th and Kinross Council has unveiled ambitious plans to buy and convert the church i nto an exciting new public space.

And now an experienced local commercial property developer is pressing ahead with the biggest private sector investment in the city centre since the economic crash of 2008.

Brian Blair’s Verimac Ltd has acquired the building and the company unveiled its plans for the former bank headquarters.

The company plans to develop the building, which offers around 10,000 square feet of floorspace and 16 parking places, into four separate units.

Two large units will be let out, while solicitors McCash and Hunter will continue to operate the ground floor property shop and retain their first floor offices.

High end office accommodation will form part of the project.

The investment is good news for a city centre which has been reeling from the loss of McEwens and other retail units this year.

A company spokesman said: “Work will begin on January 9 and we are using local contractors. Hopefully this is an indication that the economic tide is beginning to turn.”

A spokesman for Verimac Ltd said Perth and Kinross Council had been very supportive of the project.