A KILMAC team has given a helping hand to a Perth charity’s moves to transform a drinking and drugs den.
PLUS Perth plans to breathe new life into historic Ropemakers Close, linking South Street and Canal Street in the city centre.
Having already turned an old public toilet block into smart meeting rooms, attention has turned to an adjacent patch of derelict land.
Following an approach by Perth and Kinross Council depute provost Andrew Parrott, our project manager Jimmy Riddoch looked over the long-neglected, overgrown area identified by the wellbeing charity.
The upshot was a decision to clear the undergrowth and erect new secure fencing and a gate after the charity struck an agreement with the council for a peppercorn rent.
Susan Scott, PLUS Perth development manager, welcomed the assistance from Kilmac.
“The area beside our building was an absolute mess, littered with beer cans and syringes. It was really seedy and grungy,” she explained.
“We are very grateful to everyone at Kilmac who has helped lay the groundwork for our ambition to turn this into a community asset.
“Over the next few months, the new Ropemakers Nature Garden will be planted out.
“Thanks to Andrew’s assistance, working with council officers and getting valuable support from Kilmac and Inspiring Scotland, it’s going to be transformed.
“It’s a win-win and a small step forward in ensuring Ropemakers Close is an attractive link from the Canal Street car park, which is used by many visitors to Perth Museum and the Stone of Destiny.
“Local architect Fergus Purdie has been very helpful in drawing up plans of how the vennel could look and the Nature Garden is one small part of a wider vision going forward.”
The charity previously installed an information board highlighting the history of the vennel, where craftsmen made ropes from hemp and flax for ships berthing at the nearby harbour.
That history will be reflected in murals commissioned by the local authority.
