FILM HUB IS REEL DEAL
Cinema and arts centre on Crieff hotel site
A Crieff eyesore is to be transformed into a state-of-the-art film and sound complex.
Local charity Creative Crieff this week finalised the purchase of the dilapidated former Crieff Hotel in East High Street, which it plans to demolish to make way for the exciting new venture that will provide entertainment, learning and job opportunities.
Creative Crieff has said the purchase has been made possible thanks to generous anonymous local donors, Perth and Kinross Council and the support of community partners.
Chair John Mauchline said: “A cohort of local campaigners has brought another abandoned and neglected building into ownership within our town.
“The building is beyond repair. However, we find comfort in the fact it is local, interested bodies who will be monitoring its future development, ensuring a building that is strong, versatile and a further asset to our town for years to come.
“Our aim is to foster greater connectedness among the community, create sustainable job opportunities and of offer younger people, in particular, exciting excit prospects in thei their r hom home town.
“Wouldn Wouldn’t it be great gre to have, on our doorste doorstep,
furth further
scope to learn, dance, sing and explore our potential through the creation of a superb cinema, a performance venue, practice spaces and recording facilities?”
Mr Mauchline continued: “The support of so many charity groups across Strathearn and Strathallan is something of huge value to us at Creative Crieff.
“I would personally like to extend my thanks to Perth and Kinross Council, Fergus Purdie Architects, the Creative Crieff trustees and the wealth of organisations and individuals in the town who have provided us with encouragement and support.”
Perth and Kinross Council recently directed £100,000 from the Scottish Government Town Centre Fund towards the project.
SNP Strathearn ward councillor Stewart Donaldson said:“This is an important development for the town. Not only will it remove an eyesore building, it also provides Creative Crieff with a hub at Leadenflower from which to develop and extend what can be offered to the community.
He added: “The recent decision by the council to allocate £100k to Creative Crieff will go a long way to boosting their application to the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. If that grant application is successful, then there could be a lot more to come.”
Fellow elected member, Conservative Cllr Roz McCall, said: “The disused buildings in Crieff have been the biggest issue raised by residents and the news that another one of these has been purchased for the community and will be brought back to life is excellent news.
“All credit goes to Creative Crieff and I look forward to seeing this develop. This is definitely some good news in what is a different and difficult time.”
Independent councillor Rhona Brock said she was delighted and added:“The purchase will enable Creative Crieff to take the next steps towards funding to create a hub for the community and at the same time remove an eyesore of a derelict building as you enter into the town centre.
“This will be an exciting development for Crieff, coupled with the introduction of a radio station due to be launched shortly – also on the High Street – by the charity.
“In such a short time that Creative Crieff has been in existence they have done a power of work and I have no doubt they will deliver a hub that Crieff can be proud of.”
Anyone wishing to help the project progress is asked to contact Creative Crieff.
For more information, contact development manager Cathy Phillips Brady via info@creativecrieff.org or 07865 644113.
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