The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Perth goes for City of Culture crown
Flashmob erupts on street outside city hall
Perth’s ambitious bid for the City of Culture crown got off to a dramatic start yesterday with dancing trees, medieval monarchs and pop star pipers.
The campaign for the prestigious 2021 title was launched with a colourful procession through the city centre.
And moments after the extravaganza, Perth was announced as the bookies’ favourite with odds of 3/1.
The city is up against Paisley, Coventry, Sunderland and Stoke-on-Trent, with Milton Keynes and Cardiff expected to announce bids soon.
A win for Perth could deliver a boost of around £60 million to the local economy.
Councillors agreed to set the ball rolling on the highly anticipated campaign in October.
Hundreds gathered outside Perth City Hall for the launch, the details of which were kept a closely guarded secret.
The venue, which Perth and Kinross Council hopes will one day become a cultural attraction housing the Stone of Destiny, was decorated with banners, flowers and lights.
The show started by wrong-footing the audience. A traditional piper and dancer took to the steps of the hall, before being moved on by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers for a more raucous set.
A flash mob then erupted on the street, with suited council officials, traffic wardens and shoppers taking part in a choreographed routine.
Provost Liz Grant said the council’s recent commitment to spend £20 million on new cultural projects and its formal bid to reclaim the Stone of Destiny should strengthen Perth’s bid.
Perth’s bid to be named City of Culture 2021 is ambitious, bold and exactly what is needed at a crucial juncture in its history. The award of city status in 2012 was a boon upon which locals are desperate to capitalise and this could be another step along the path to realising Perth’s potential.
The Fair City has long traded off its reputation as a historic market town, attractive, busy and in a setting that would be the envy of most Scottish communities.
In recent times, however, that has not been enough and there has been a feeling progress has stalled, even as neighbouring cities like Dundee and Stirling boomed.
Despite attempts to regenerate them, the once-bustling High Street and surrounding shopping thoroughfares have suffered a perceived decline and traders are worried.
But look around Perth and signs of green shoots are abundant.
The council has strived to create a “cultural sector” in the corridor between the impressive, modern concert hall and historic theatre, currently being overhauled to make it fit for purpose.
New community campus schools have been built which are providing local people with access to facilities previously denied them.
And Perth College, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, is expanding in both size and reputation.
Balhousie Castle has also re-created itself as a modern museum telling the story of The Black Watch.
At long last there is even an end in sight to the tedious city hall saga, with council moves to transform the currently lifeless hulk into a home for the Stone of Destiny.
Through such initiatives, Perth is acknowledging its place in history while mapping out a vibrant future which will breathe new life into the city.
There is a lot of work to be done and competition will be fierce, but the bid team will not shy away from that.
Rightly, Perth has already been installed as the bookies’ favourite and is ideally placed to represent the UK as City of Culture. The Courier can think of no more deserving winner and we will back it all the way.