World class city hall on way

Sir, - I would like to respond to the letter in Tuesday’s Courier regarding my ‘change of view’ on the future of the Perth City Hall.

Mr Allan was correct in his assertion that I was very vocal in my support for the city hall’s demolition and my view has not changed a bit. I have always felt Perth was poorer for not having a centrally located event space and the vast majority of Perth’s councillors, citizens, businesses and cultural organisations agreed with me.

That being said, the fate of the city hall was very much in the hands of Historic and Environment Scotland and as much as many of us felt this was right for Perth, this important government body was clear it wanted to retain the building. It was at this stage, four years ago, that I and other interested parties started working on cultural solutions for the property. The other options for the building’s use were neither suitable or viable to create the destination Perth needed.

Once the council had formally decided that the Perth Market Trust offer was to be rejected, the Perth City Development Board, Perth Culture and the council’s officers began working on potential cultural solutions. Neither I nor any of these organisations changed their view – we simply responded to the restrictions placed upon us.

I have no doubt that when the full extent of the new city hall attraction is released (once approved by full council), then Mr Allan will agree that using the terminology world class is in no way an exaggeration. John Bullough. Chairman, Perth City Development Board.