A Perth woman is hoping to lead the rejuvenation of the Fair City’s St John Street with plans to open activity and arts hubs at two former prime retail units.
Louise Velazquez has been revealed to be one of the applicants to occupy the closed Beales department store building.
She is also in ongoing talks to set up shop at the currently vacant Lakeland retail outlet unit next door.
The former Perth Beales store closed in March 2020 along with its 22 fellow stores across the UK.
After almost two years of laying empty, the building shows signs of deterioration.
Previously, the ornate building was the home of McEwens of Perth and had enjoyed a long history since opening in 1868 of providing high-end clothing and fancy homewares before in 2016 becoming a casualty to the change in shopping habits away from the high street.
Beales then took over the unit in late 2017, making Perth home to the retail chain’s first Scottish store.
Next door, household and kitchenware supplier Lakeland closed its St John Street unit “with regret” last May following the downturn caused by the pandemic.
Director of Glasgow-based Breck Sutherland Property Consultants Alan Stewart revealed last week that there was concrete interest in the former Beales store.
“We are actively looking for a tenant for the Beales site in Perth,” he added.
“We have a well known Scottish operator as well as a partner museum strongly interested. Both are in discussion with us at the moment.
“We hope we can pass on good news soon, but due to its size, it takes a long time for due diligence to take place.”
That ‘partner museum’ plan is headed up by Mrs Velazquez who hopes to occupy the space with skills and trade workshops, art gallery displays, and creative activity classes - but admits further investment from external partners will likely be needed to make it a reality.
To promote awareness of her vision, Louise held two pop-up displays at vacant units in Perth city centre - the first at 76 High Street in mid-December and the other at the former Lakeland unit on Valentine’s Day week.
Both displayed artwork and showcased local trades and craft skills to offer a glimpse into her vision, with the latter billed as a “Valentine’s to Perth” as a morale-booster for the struggling local high street.
To help oversee the enterprises, if successful, Louise is also seeking to form a new community anchor organisation, called Perth Arts.
Speaking of the former Beales unit, she said: “There seems to be a problem with Perth at the moment, like other places.
“So many of the units in the city centre lie empty.
“I want to do something that would get other people involved, to help the regeneration of the city.
“We have visited Beales three or four times and would likely need more investment for the project to go ahead. But we are talking to a number of interested partners about it at the moment.
“It could be some place for young people to do training of conservation work, such as learn stone carving, joinery, and other crafts and life skills.
“It would also be a place for trades people to set up a spot, such as artists, to exhibit their work and businesses.”
Louise has a similar vision for the outlet that occupied the former Lakeland unit next door.
“We could have the building potentially owned by the people of Perth for the people of Perth,” she explained.
“But we would like to find out whether people in Perth were really wanting this idea to go ahead.
“Like Beales, there would be open spaces for drawing, paper making, and other activities.
“We are also looking to do a presentation with the Scottish Potters Association (SPA) who could come in for local people to attend.
“It would not just be for one group, but for many.
“It would be maybe rental at first but then would be a gradual transference of ownership eventually, potentially, or have a redemption mortgage of some sort.
“We have spoken to the owner who has been great with us.
“It would be run under a development trust with a community anchor organisation and committee, where local people can get involved.”
Louise says awareness of the project is solely through pop-ups and “word of mouth” for now, but that a sign-up sheet has been launched to see if local interest is there.
“We have a sign-up sheet that people can register their interest with and we would welcome people in Perth’s ideas and views,” she added.
“We will also be hosting more pop-ups coming soon to raise more awareness of us.”
City Centre SNP councillor Eric Drysdale said it is “really concerning” to see the number of vacant properties currently on St John Street, and that new tenants in the former McEwens/Beales property and the former Lakeland units “would be welcomed with open arms”.
Fellow ward councillor Chris Ahern agreed, adding that it would be “marvellous news” if the units were occupied once more.
To find out more about the sign up sheet, email perthartsnetwork@gmail.com
