Take a leaf out of Perth’s festive book

I WAS interested to read in Tuesday’s Tele how Perth’s festive events had brought £1.75 million to the local economy.

That’s in return for an outlay by the city council of just under £400,000.

Shouldn’t Dundee be looking to emulate the success of the Fair City?

Perth council leaders have been criticised in the past for forking out big sums to bring in well-known names to perform and switch on the lights — but when it brings such huge sums to the local area, it’s clearly worth it.

I feel Dundee’s Christmas lights switch-on event has become tired, and offers little to get excited about.

A couple of fairground rides and getting a glimpse of Santa is nice for the little ones, but it’s hardly a big draw for a wider audience.

Surely, with a larger local population, great facilities and a city on the up, Dundee could take inspiration from Perth and put on an even bigger and better show – whether for Christmas or New Year.

Elf on the shelf.

DUNDEE you are missing a trick. Perth saw a £1.75m boost to its economy thanks to its festive events — for a outlay of only £400,000.

By this Christmas, the V&A will have opened and more concerts will have been held at Slessor Gardens, so organising crowds should become second nature.

I attended the city’s Christmas Light Night a couple of years ago and thought it was wonderful — the Auld Steeple was lit up, there was a lovely wee display of birds and lights in the Howff, there was music and dancing and stalls throughout the centre. It was magical — and very busy.

Of course, still do that. But maybe extend it to a week-long festival and pull some big names in to make guest appearances.

Give people a reason to visit — and then to come back again.

Tpeculate to accu6ulate.

Alesha Dixon switched on the lights in Perth in 2017.