Ambitious plans for Barcelona-style square will go on display

Council chiefs hope a Barcelona-style renovation of Aberfeldy’s town square will help market the town as a year-round visitor destination.

Plans for the new project will go on public display next week, when locals will be asked for their views.

Aberfeldy’s reputation for leisure tourism has been growing in recent years, thanks to a mix of businesses, including the award-winning Watermill Bookshop, the Birks Cinema and a number of highly-rated places to eat.

However, critics say the square has lost its significance to the community following the closure of the Co-op and the hope is it will once more become a place for locals and visitors to gather.

The plans for the revamped square show space for markets and events and have reportedly been inspired by the Catalan capital. Residents are being invited to attend next week’s public exhibition on the Breadalbane Community Campus.

The two-day event will take place on Wednesday and Thursday next week in the campus library between noon and 7pm each day.

By investing in improvements, Perth and Kinross Council says it is aiming to ensure the town’s reputation continues to grow.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: “The overall aim of the project is to create a sense of place in Aberfeldy and for the space to be flexible, which will increase the town’s capacity for future events.

“The new square will help promote the area as an all-yearround destination and help with job sustainability and creation, as well as hopefully reducing reliance on seasonal trends.”