New project hopes to create a stir around Fair City once again

Aim is to harness enthusiasm that emerged from City of Culture bid

A bid has been made to tap into the surge in civic pride which saw tens of thousands rally behind Perth’s attempt to become UK City of Culture 2021.

Despite the bid ultimately failing, Perth and Kinross Council wants to harness that enthusiasm in a project called Beyond the Fair City, designed to make Perth one of Europe’s “great small cities”.

A report recommends further developing Perth’s branding and promotion, developing a creative cities network across Scotland and northern England and delivering an “exciting” events and arts programme.

The Perth bid process led to around 27,000 people participating in more than 40 projects and resulted in backing from more than 100 businesses in Perth and Kinross.

Council chiefs still admit Perth is “underperforming” as a cultural tourist destination.

However, they claim that with a series of artistic programmes in the pipeline, including the £16.6 million redevelopment of Perth Theatre, the situation can be reversed.

A report on Beyond the Fair City, drawn up by Fiona Robertson, Perth and Kinross Council’s head of culture and public service reform, says that although Perth failed in its UK City of Culture 2021 bid, it made “significant gains” by “reigniting” civic pride.

In her report, Ms Robertson said: “Perth did not win the UK City of Culture 2021 but the gains we have made and the platforms on which we can build should not be underestimated.”

Ian Campbell, leader of the council, said: “The scale of our ambition for Perth and Kinross remains.

“We want Perth to be one of the best small cities in Europe and we will use culture to increase tourism, develop higher-value jobs, retain talent and reconnect people.

“To do that, we need to deliver on Beyond the Fair City – reaching out to all our communities, refusing to be defined by our past and making Perth and Kinross a fairer place for everyone.”

However, he said the local authority cannot do this alone.

“We need expertise and support from all sectors,” he added. “The bidding process for UK City of Culture helped to make new connections and spark ideas.

“Now is our chance to pull together and become an exemplar for other, similar towns and small cities across the UK.”

We want Perth to be one of the best small cities in Europe and we will use culture to increase tourism, develop higher-value jobs and retain talent