Hundreds have their say on the future of vacant Perth City Hall

More than 600 people have responded to a consultation on the future of Perth City Hall.

Radical designs for the historic venue went on display earlier this month after council bosses revealed a shortlist of five architectural firms for the £20 million project.

Members of the public were asked to give their views during a two-week consultation exercise. An exhibition featuring the five final designs was held at the council’s High Street HQ.

A local authority spokeswoman revealed officers are now sifting through 600 responses.

Around 100 people have visited the exhibition each day since its launch on Monday June 12.

But the results are being kept under wraps. They will be used to inform a final decision to be taken by councillors – following advice from an expert panel – in August.

If all goes to plan, work could begin in 2019 and the aim is to relaunch the city hall in 2021.

The council decided to turn the long-vacant building into an arts venue last year, with the authority hopeful it may become home to the Stone of Destiny.

The companies competing for the contract are Hoskins Architects, LDN Architects, Mecanoo, Richard Murphy Architects and Austin-Smith: Lord and MVRDV.

The hall closed its doors 12 years ago, and an independent economic assessment in 2010 recommended its demolition and called for a civic square to be built in its place.

Historic Scotland refused consent so the building was re-marketed.

Negotiations to turn the hall into a food market were officially suspended last year.

The results of an online poll carried out by The Courier have also been passed on to the local authority.

Readers voted Dutch firm Mecanoo as their favourite.

The company put forward plans which show a large exhibition space in the main hall and a modern cafe/bar.

MSP Murdo Fraser has urged council leaders to listen to the public’s opinions before deciding.