The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Unhappy traders to be consulted over this year’s festive party
Council pledge to businesses that saw trade suffer during lights event
Traders who saw sales slump during Perth’s biggest Christmas party will be given the chance to help shape this year’s event.
Council bosses spent more than £216,000 on December’s seasonal switch-on ceremony, featuring big-name acts including Slade, Professor Green and Basil Brush.
The extravaganza, which drew about 112,000 people into the city centre, pumped around £1.6 million into the local economy.
But a new study has revealed that not everyone was delighted with the way the event went.
A total of 42 businesses responded to a survey conducted by Bellerby Economics.
Of those, 60% said the event had a positive impact on their business with a third seeing sales rise by between 21% and 50%.
However, a quarter said the ceremony had a negative effect on sales, with a further 17% claiming it made no difference.
Shopkeepers who said their trade suffered said regular customers had stayed away due to changes in traffic flow, while some said the noise from the stage had been a deterrent.
Some have suggested the event should be held on a Sunday, rather than a Saturday.
Barbara Renton, director of the council’s environment service, confirmed that disgruntled business owners will be involved in preparations for this year’s show.
“We know which businesses have responded and we intend to go back to them, speak to them and see what we can offer for this year.
“We continue to look at spreading the event out more widely across the city centre, which is a big of a challenge given the lay-out.”
“Going forward, we will be taking these comments and all other comments into consideration.”
Councillor John Kellas, convener of the enterprise and infrastructure committee, said: “I think the Winter Festival has been a real success story for Perth. Not everything that is done within the festival is going to benefit every style of shop and we just have to appreciate that.
“But if it increases footfall and increases people’s awareness of Perth as a centre of attraction, then that has to be something which will bring real benefits down the line – even if some are not seeing the benefit on the day itself.”