The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Artwork could revive ‘forgotten’ part of city
PERTH: Council looks to breathe new life into George Street with aid of colourful installation
A major art installation could help lure shoppers to “forgotten” stores in Perth city centre.
Council bosses are considering some kind of street dressing to breathe new life into George Street.
Parking was suspended yesterday so engineers can carry out “anchor bolt” testing. If successful, fasteners could be fitted along the street to attach structures.
Perth and Kinross Council declined to say what was being considered for the area.
A spokeswoman said: “This is part of an assessment being carried out to establish potential opportunities for street dressing options in the future.”
Although details of the scheme are being kept under wraps, it is understood a spread of colourful umbrellas is being considered.
A similar installation was featured in the hugely popular Norie-Miller Walk illuminations earlier this year.
Laura Wilson, from Whispers of the Heart, had previously suggested using the umbrellas to council officers.
“I think something like that would really bring people into the street,” she said.
“A lot of people visiting the city centre don’t bother to explore and they don’t tend to come as far as George Street. It’s like we’ve been forgotten about.
“We have seen a real downturn in recent years, so it would be great to make George Street more of a destination.”
As well as boosting local businesses, the display would also establish George Street as a main thoroughfare between the city centre and the Perth Museum and Art Gallery, which is about to undergo a £10 million refurbishment.
The venue could become home to the Stone of Destiny, which is expected to bring more than 160,000 visitors to the city each year.
Marcus Eagleton, who runs a kilt and sporran maker’s store on George Street, welcomed the move.
“This could be really good for Perth,” he said.
“All too often you see councils taking good ideas from other areas. It would be good to see something unique to our city.
“I think it would be a good idea to highlight the Scottish-ness of this area, maybe have tartan flowing over the street.”
Designer Wayne Hemingway suggested using artwork to brighten up city streets and vennels when he gave a talk on Perth’s UK City of Culture bid in February.
More recently, artist have been decorating city centre alleyways with colourful spray-chalk designs.
The local authority is also looking at ways of illuminating backstreets as part of the multi-million-pound City of Lights project.
All too often you see councils taking good ideas from other areas. It would be good to see something unique to our city. MARCUS EAGLETON