Plan for new tourism‘hub’

A NEW visitor hub will be created in the heart of Perth in a bid to boost the tourism offering of the city and the surrounding region.

The chosen site at 45 High Street will be developed as a dynamic centre that highlights the attractions, activities, events and cultural life of the area.

It is hoped that the new information centre will inspire visitors to stay longer in the area, to spend more while they are here and to return in the future.

Initial projections suggest that the centre could attract as many as five times the number of visitors as the existing VisitScotland premises, which are tucked away at Lower City Mills — rising from 20,000 to 100,000. Estimates of tourism spend, meanwhile, indicate that the new premises could also be worth an additional £428,000 to the economy.

Such lofty ambitions will come at a cost, however, as the national tourism agency does not have the funds to take the project forward itself.

Instead, it is doing so in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council, which will provide premises — once Jessops — rent free for three years and bankroll £40,000 of the initial £80,000 fit-out costs.

It will then run the centre in conjunction with the agency for the next three years, assessing the success of the venture at that point.

The centre will provide a one-stop service, providing information and inspiration on what to see and do in the area, together with interactive displays and exhibition space, and could also help to further regenerate the east end of the High Street and drive additional footfall to that part of the city centre.

VisitScotland is enthusiastic about the site and the opportunity it presents to reach a wider market and to deliver a more inspirational experience for visitors.

The agency hopes to boost its retail and commercial functions, possibly even creating an outlet for local craftspeople.

Faced with having to reduce its overheads nationally, and with Lower City Mills to pay for as well, VisitScotland acknowledges that commercial improvements will only go so far.

That makes the council partnership vital, with the financial implications for the local authority from the development likely to be in the region of £100,000, which includes the £60,000 waived from three years rent.

Despite the costs involved to the council, it believes that the new hub will offer huge benefits to Perth and the wider region.

“It has long been recognised that the information centre is in a less than optimum location at Lower City Mills,” said the council’s executive director of environment Jim Valentine.

“Since the visitor attraction element of the Mills closed, visitor numbers have declined and the present office does not provide the type of welcome to visitors or inspiration about the city and the wider area that one would expect.

“The council has been working with VisitScotland to find an improved location for a centre which will offer a much more dynamic and contemporary visitor experience from a more central site and which, in turn, will contribute to growth in the local visitor economy.

“It is envisaged that this new centre, at the council-owned premises at 45 High Street, will have a stronger city and area focus, will act as a hub for trails and provide a range of services including event and transport ticketing.”

The proposals will go before the council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee this week.

Picture: John Stevenson. Two pupils at St John’s RC Academy in Perth have been recognised as positive role models. Shannagh Campbell and James O’Donnell are each receiving a Diana Award. As a legacy to Diana, Princess of Wales, the award was founded in 1999. Since then, it has...