Perth entrepreneur says businesses can improve ‘ghost town’

The owner of one of the best known hairdressing and beauty salons in Perth said she was not surprised by the retail findings.

Charlie Taylor, who also owns a salon in Dundee, blamed a combination of reasons for the slump in the Fair City’s trading fortunes.

The entrepreneur said Perth and Kinross Council could improve matters by making better decisions and taking action to make the city a “bit livelier” in order to attract shoppers and visitors.

“I’ve looked out of our Perth shop for the past 32 years to an empty St Paul’s Church,” she said.

“We had customers ask what was happening with the building almost every day. There was a lot of indecision about that site.”

She continued: “You also have to make the city centre a bit different. I feel having Perth College UHI in the city centre, or a campus site, would make a big difference as you would have students and tutors in the area. We see students passing our Dundee salon all the time.”

Mrs Taylor said shops and businesses could also take their own steps to boost the atmosphere in the city centre by opening later into the evening.

“Most of the High Street shops close at almost 5.30pm every night – it’s like a ghost town,” she added.

“I set out my stall 32 years ago when I decided the Perth salon would stay open until 8.30pm on a Thursday. Some shops in Perth either can’t be bothered staying open later or aren’t prepared to take the risk.”

Mrs Taylor said Perth was well placed geographically, particularly in its setting on the River Tay, but says it lacked a special quality to attract visitors.

“Dundee has regenerated itself and there is real excitement there now,” she said.

“You also have St Andrews which has attracted a major makeup brand, Bobbi Brown, mainly due to the number of students there. You need attractions to bring people into a city centre.”