Traders pledge their support for Perth 2021 campaign

40 local firms rally round as bid to be appointed City of Culture in four years’ time takes major step forward

Business owners are backing Perth’s bid for the City of Culture crown.

Nearly 40 traders have pledged their support for the 2021 campaign.

The team behind the bid encouraged local firms to get on board during a business engagement event in the new civic hall, part of the revamped Perth and Kinross Council HQ on High Street.

At the end of the talks, attendees were urged to sign a pledge of support.

They are also being urged to dress their shop fronts and windows with City of Culture banners and stickers.

Perth City Centre manager Leigh Brown, who coordinated the evening, said: “The Perth 2021 bid for UK City of Culture will provide many opportunities for businesses, from increased visitor numbers to a heightened profile for Perth and Perthshire, which will encourage more people to come and live, work and invest in the region.

“The business engagement event gave businesses the opportunity to hear more detail of the ambitions of Perth and Kinross and to hear how the bid is just part of the ambitious plans for the city being shaped though the city development board.”

She added: “This will be the first of a series of events to keep the business community involved and informed as the bid progresses.”

A win could bring an estimated £60 million boost to the local economy.

The campaign continues on Monday evening when top designer Wayne Hemingway will discuss his thoughts on Perth’s chances of winning the 2021 title.

The co-founder of the Red or Dead brand, who was recently appointed technical adviser for Perth Development Board, will host a presentation at the AK Bell Library from 6.30pm.

The talk was organised by Perthshire Creates, a network set up to shine the spotlight on contemporary arts and activities across the region.

The event in the Soutar Library is free, but places should be registered in advance on the Eventbrite website.

Perth is up against Paisley and Coventry for the City of Culture title.

A shortlist will be drawn up in the coming months and a winner will be announced in December.

Picture: Fraser Band. Interested members of the business community listen to the ambitious plans to make Perth City of Culture in 2021.