Pledge to re-develop St Paul’s Church

Owner wants to convert building into a community centre

The under-fire owner of a former Perth church which has not opened its doors in 30 years, yesterday insisted he is intent on redeveloping the building.

James Boyd, of Belfast-based Simple Global Marketing, told The Courier he has been in discussions with Perth and Kinross Council, Scottish Heritage and Lottery Funding Scotland with a view to pursuing his aim of converting the dilapidated St Paul’s Church into a café/ community use centre.

The businessman has faced criticism from certain quarters in Perth regarding what was perceived by some businesses as a lack of action in making the listed building watertight since he took over its running in June last year.

However, scaffolding was erected last month and Mr Boyd has now confirmed that he plans to put a “full wrap” around St Paul’s Church. He also intends to carry out a cull of thousands of nesting pigeons which have covered the inside of the building with their droppings.

Yesterday, Mr Boyd claimed his company has already spent a “six figure” sum on “professionals, consultants and scaffolders” and also hit back at some local businesses who have said he should be doing more to help progress with restoration of the ageing structure.

“Having taken over the church in June last year we have been left with a building with over a decade of dereliction and the church is now in a seriously dilapidated state,” he told The Courier.

“We have, since acquiring the building, spent a six figure sum in professionals, consultants, scaffolders and our own resource.”

He continued: “If our company spends a further £1 million and the building is then valued at £800,000 we arepreparedforalossofcirca£400,000 in total based on long-term projections.

“The building is now secure — to an extent — fully insured and discussions are ongoing with both Perth and Kinross Council, Scottish Heritage and Lottery Funding Scotland. “

Mr Boyd also stated that his company will lodge an application for a full wrap around the building this week, which will show the “intended finished” development, and will also allow him to accommodate local advertisement, intended to generate revenue.

“In the next three weeks, the building shall be totally sealed in respect of the pigeons and the birds left inside culled approximately seven days after sealing. This will allow a clear-out to take place of the inside.

“However, it should be noted that due to the recent rains we have to have external inspections of the roof as to ascertain if there is immediate danger to being inside the building.”