Dismay as town shelter vandalised
Crieff marquee removed
A popular focal point in the centre of Crieff – designed to support the town as it deals with the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak – has been removed after it was targeted by vandals.
The temporary shelter with seating and tables in James Square was a hit with locals and visitors alike after it was erected by the Strath capital’s business group Crieff Succeeds.
Sourced from local firm Gourlay Events, the large marquee was originally put up in the summer to give those showing their support for the town’s businesses somewhere to stop while sticking to physical distancing rules.
But the facility was taken away last week after recent vandalism and an increase in the amount of litter being left behind.
Crieff Succeeds manager David McCann described the recent turn of events as “disappointing”.
He added: “The marquee has been a huge success and widely-used by visitors and locals alike.
“However, in recent weeks we have struggled to maintain it in terms of cleanliness, particularly with the mess that was being made overnight, and the recent vandalism made us realise that at this time, it would be best to remove it.”
David continued: “Our intention will be to look at the maintenance and security issues with a view to revisiting the project later in 2021. Crieff Succeeds works hard to make our town an even better place to work, live and visit and the covered area in the Square is part of a wider events strategy which we will not allow to be detrimentally affected by this disappointing episode.”
Strathearn ward independent councillor Rhona Brock encouraged anyone with information in relation to who may have been responsible for the damage to contact Police Scotland.
She said: “It’s really, really, disappointing that something that was so popular earlier in the year is being taken away because it has been damaged
– particularly after the year we’ve all been through.
“A lot of people have gone to a lot of effort to make the town look as nice as possible after what has been a tough year – you can see that by how early people have been putting up their Christmas lights – so to see this damage happen is upsetting.
“It shouldn’t have happened. We can’t have people’s items being damaged, especially when they are put up for the good of the community.
“What makes it worse is that the marquee and the tables might have been of use to people over the Christmas and new year period as they allowed people to gettogether outside and stick to social distancing rules.
“As upsetting as this is, it’s important not to let what has happened here overshadow all the good work done by people for the good of the community in recent months.”