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Perth's former St Paul's Church on Old High Street is to be transformed into a new public arts and events space.
The shape of the unusual hexagonal building and the spire will be retained, although the roof will be removed to create an outdoor space.
The 60-week-long programme of work will begin on 15 October.
While the work is ongoing the section of the High Street next to St Paul's will close to all traffic. This section of road, which is restricted to buses and taxis even when open, will remain closed throughout the works.
Councillor Murray Lyle, Leader of Perth & Kinross Council said: "St Paul's is a prominent feature of the Perth skyline, and I know it was a source of sadness and frustration for residents, visitors and businesses, when it lay empty for decades and latterly fell into a state of disrepair.
"When the Council took the unusual step of deciding to purchase the building in January 2017, it provided an opportunity to not only save St Paul's, but also to help make a real feature of this part of Perth city. The Old High Street, South Methven Street, and St Paul's Square support a range of independent businesses, with the development of Mill Quarter at Thimblerow as a new retail and leisure site, we had an opportunity to make St Paul's an asset for the area.
"This investment by the Council will shine a light on this part of the city centre, making it more attractive to investors and tourists, and creating a unique public space which will complement the new cultural and events spaces in Mill Street, Perth Theatre, and the transformed Perth City Hall."
Perth & Kinross Council completed the purchase of St Paul's Church in early 2017. Since then work carried out on site to date has included:
• removal of overhead risks (loose slates, masonry, vegetation, other debris)
• environmental cleaning/stabilising work within the main church building and steeple
• repair works to the steeple
• removal of the pews and other fixtures
• removal of many cubic metres of pigeon waste.
(CM/MH)
