Business leaders invited to picture future opportunities from museum investment

November 13, 2023

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By Perth and Kinross Council, 7th November 2023

Perth Museum Entrance. Render by Mecanoo.

Perth Museum presents a unique opportunity for existing and new businesses to benefit from the economic growth and development that it promises to bring to the area, Council Leader Grant Laing told business leaders on Friday evening.

As work continues on the installation of the new Museum ahead of its March 2024 opening, Councillor Laing welcomed UK Government Minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, and local business representatives to an exclusive tour behind the scenes.

Cllr Laing, welcoming Lord Malcolm Offord to an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Perth Museum, Credit: Perth and Kinross Council.

The £27m transformation of the key city centre building has been funded by a £10m UK Government investment through the Tay Cities Region Deal and by Perth and Kinross Council. This investment will bring tens of thousands of visitors to the area from across the world each year, creating multiple opportunities for businesses particularly in the tourism, retail and creative industries.

Cllr Grant Laing said,

Perth Museum is a flagship example of what can be achieved with the support of investment opportunities like the Tay Cities Region Deal. It was fantastic to be able to showcase the results of that investment to the Minister and local business leaders.

Feedback from all of our guests was really positive. Even before installation is complete the quality of the exceptional work which has been done to transform the building into a modern visitor attraction is clear to see. 

Our long-term investment in developing our cultural offer is now beginning to bear fruit. The full benefit of that investment for Perth and Kinross will come from businesses like the ones represented on Friday when they capitalise on the opportunities for growth and development which will come on the back of the increased visitors and spotlight on Perth brought by the museum.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said: “It’s a joy to see the progress of Perth Museum’s £27million redevelopment. This stunning space is a focal point of the city’s wider transformation programme, which is benefitting from £10million in UK Government funding through the Tay Cities Region Deal.

Aerial render by Mecanoo.

“It’s a great facility for the people of Perth and a fitting place to house the Stone of Scone. The museum will also appeal to visitors from all over the country and abroad, boosting tourism and the local economy.” 

Amongst the guests representing local business leaders was Vicki Unite, Chief Executive of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce. Vicki said: “It was great to have a preview of this flagship attraction for Perth and Kinross. The investment in the former City Hall has created a draw which I hope will unlock to new audiences what Perth and Kinross has to offer in existing visitor attractions, leisure facilities, tourist accommodation, and so much more. All of which make this such a great place to live, work and visit.”

Perth Museum, which will be run by charitable trust Culture Perth and Kinross in partnership with the Council, will tell the story of Scotland through the story of Perth as the national’s first capital. When it opens it will also become the new home of the Stone of Destiny, which will return to Perth, close to its origins in Scone, from Edinburgh Castle. As the centrepiece of the new museum the Stone will be free for all to visit.

Perth Museum Main Hall, Render by Mecanoo.

Alongside the Stone, the Museum will display Perth and Kinross’s Recognised Collections of National Significance as well as iconic loans and exhibitions from the UK and abroad.