SSE backs Perth culture bid

Locally-based energy provider Scottish and Southern Energy is the latest Fair City firm to back Perth’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021.

The company employs around 2600 people at its headquarters in the city and its heritage within the region as a whole is celebrated in a new £4m visitor centre at Pitlochry Dam.

SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies said Perth’s ambitions to transform itself by putting culture at the heart of the local economy chimed with his firm’s overall goals.

He explained:“Paying the Living Wage, helping school-leavers into work, backing urban renewal programmes and supporting communities in areas that we invest in all make a difference to people’s lives.

“While we are based in Perth, we are a geographically dispersed company and we know that culture can bring people together.

“The impetus that cultural investment gives to regeneration in urban areas is also well known, and we would like to see the same opportunities for the people of Perth and Kinross.

SSE also sees that the bid will attract and help retain the skills and talent we need in Perth to grow our business.“

Councillor Ian Miller, chair of the Perth 2021 programme board, welcomed SSE’s support.

The leader of Perth and Kinross Council said:“SSE is a major employer in Perth and Kinross, and we are delighted that it is supporting Perth’s bid to be City of Culture 2021. ●A special civic reception to promote Perth’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid is being held from 6-8pm tonight in Perth Civic Hall at 2 High Street.