Work on city hall will start early 2020
Construction work on transforming Perth City Hall into a museum will begin early in the new year, the PA can reveal.
The project will continue despite Perth and Kinross Council not yet knowing whether its strong bid to bring the Stone of Destiny to the city has been successful.
The decision on wether to take the relic to Perth will be made by the Commissioners for the Safeguardng of the Regalia.
The commissioners had been set to meet earlier this week on Wednesday, October 23 to discuss this.
However the meeting will now be rescheduled for a later date.
It is unclear exactly when a decision will be made, but it is understood the commissioners are aware of Perth and Kinross Council’s timetable for the city hall project.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council told the PA on Wednesday: “No meeting took place in Edinburgh today, however council officials remain at the commissioners’ full disposal to provide them with any further information they need in reaching their decision.”
Earlier, the council had confirmed work would start on the city hall in the new year.
The spokesperson said: “We were delighted at the large number of respondents to the Scottish Government-hosted engagement about the location of the Stone of Destiny, and we are confident that the case to display the stone in Perth, where it could be viewed for free by thousands of visitors, is strong.
“Following survey and groundworks, construction will start on site at city hall very early in the new year.
“This will mark the next exciting stage of the building’s transformation into a world-class museum.”
The council is looking to invest £23 million in to the city hall project, with the cash coming from the Tay Cities Deal.
The future success of the massive revamp may depend on the council securing the stone, with Edinburgh Castle and Historic Environment Scotland keen to hold on to the historic artefact.