Food market dream just ‘on hold’

The man behind the food market plan said the decision by the council to suspend lease negotiations was not the end of his dream.

Vivian Linacre, director of Perth Market Place Ltd, said reports that the proposal had “collapsed” or had been rejected by the council were inaccurate.

“The council meeting decided merely to suspend it,” said Mr Linacre.

“It has not been rejected but merely put on hold whilst the depute chief executive investigates and reports on the council’s available options, thereby giving us time in which to remedy the deficiencies in verification of our funding.

“The councillors were right in lamenting the many ‘false dawns’ experienced over the past decade concerning the future of this great building; but the reported demise of the food market hall project is a ‘false sunset’ for it remains the ideal solution – and our city centre’s need for it is greater than ever.”

Councillor Alexander Stewart, who backed a motion by Councillor Willie Wilson to have Wednesday’s discussion held in public which was defeated, said they had been left with little option but to suspend the lease negotiations.

He said he had always wanted the building to be retained and he hoped a way ahead was identified.

“The public has lost all confidence. The city hall has put Perth on the map for the wrong reasons,” he said.

The reported demise of the food market hall project is a ‘false sunset’. VIVIAN LINACRE