Major £500,000 redevelopment planned for former Lakeland building in Perth

A major new investment in Perth city centre has been confirmed following the sale of the former Lakeland building at 50 St John Street.

The prominent listed property is set to undergo a £500,000 mixed-use redevelopment that will deliver a restaurant alongside new city centre flats, bringing a long-vacant building back into active use in the heart of Perth.

The redevelopment is expected to support job creation, increase footfall and strengthen the surrounding city centre economy while preserving and enhancing an important heritage asset.

Perth and Kinross Council has supported the project through a £75,000 award from its Adapt Your Property scheme, helping address the additional costs associated with conservation and compliance works often involved in redeveloping historic buildings.

In turn, it helped unlock the wider investment and overall viability of the project.

Perth and Kinross Council Leader Eric Drysdale said the redevelopment demonstrated growing confidence in Perth city centre and the value of targeted investment support.

“The redevelopment of 50 St John Street is a strong example of how public and private sector investment can work together to bring vacant buildings back into productive use while supporting economic growth and protecting Perth’s historic character.

“Bringing a prominent vacant building back into use, creating homes and jobs, and increasing confidence in the city centre economy is a priority for everyone in PKC, and projects like this show how targeted Council support can help unlock private sector investment and act as a catalyst for regeneration.”

The redevelopment comes as Perth and Kinross Council delivers a £200,000 programme of city centre improvements through the City Centre Improvement Task Force.

Works already underway include repairs to damaged paving outside Perth Museum, the replacement of old and weathered benches, deep cleaning of streets and vennels, and enhanced cleansing work across the city centre. The Council’s Unpaid Work Team is also removing stickers and chewing gum from bins and street furniture, while new bunting will be installed on George Street and St John’s Street ahead of a busy summer events programme.

Councillor Drysdale continued, “City centres across the country continue to face challenges, and this wider programme of city centre improvements helps build further confidence and ensures Perth remains an attractive and welcoming place to live, work, visit and invest.”