Shopkeepers claim they’ll be badly hit by closures

There is no point complaining about it, though. It’s going to happen whatever wesay.

EWAN ANDERSON

Perth traders say they will be badly hit by the extensive road closures during the BBC’s Biggest Weekend festival.

The event, which will be broadcast on TV and radio, has been hailed as a major boost for the local economy, with many Fair City hotels and guest houses booked up with festival goers, crew members and stars.

But shopkeepers in Perth city centre say they are unimpressed with Perth and Kinross Council’s traffic management plan for the weekend.

The local authority has announced it intends to close off the top end of Tay Street, Perth Bridge, Main Street and George Street during the event, while other routes around Scone will also be blocked off.

Taxis will drop off festival-goers at Quarrymill Woods, about two miles from the festival site.

The local authority is facing strong criticism from retailers who have questioned why other events at Scone Palace, such as the Rewind Festival which attracts about 10,000 more people a day, do not require such extensive closures.

Craig Smith of Conchord Records said: “The festival is great for the area, but this traffic plan is really going to mess up business for everyone in the city centre.

“What they are planning is just over the top and will almost certainly hamper trade.”

He said: “There are a lot of people very unhappy about this.”

George Street hairdresser Ewan Anderson added: “This is just overkill.

“Nobody is going to be able to drive into the city centre.

“They’ll just stay away. Rewind has never had this amount of closures and it’s never been a problem.”

He said: “There’s no point complaining about it, though. It’s going to happen whatever we say.”

Laura Wilson, who runs the Whispers of the Past gift shop, said: “I just cannot understand the need to close off George Street.

“There are surely alternative routes which would allow Perth to stay open.”

The festival gets under way on Friday with a full day of classical and traditional music featuring superstar violinist Nigel Kennedy, acclaimed Scots percussionist Evelyn Glennie, jazz maestro Jamie Cullum and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets for Saturday’s event – headlined by Noel Gallagher’s Flying Birds and featuring Emelie Sande and Squeeze – have already sold out but briefs are still available for Friday.