Plans Unveiled for New Perth Enterprise, Skills and Employability Hub
The initiative, which is being spearheaded by the Perth and Kinross Opportunities Trust (PKOT) established earlier this year by several members of Perth and Kinross Business Partnership, will boost economic growth, support entrepreneurs, and enhance opportunities for local people.
Backed by significant UK Government and Perth and Kinross Council investment, the former Royal Bank of Scotland branch on South Street will be transformed into a dynamic hub for business, learning and innovation. As well as local authority backing, it has already attracted strong interest from key organisations including Barclays plc, UHI Perth, Skills Development Scotland, GrowBiz and Business Gateway.
Opening in the first half of 2026, the hub will provide:
- Flexible co-working and meeting spaces
- Enterprise and business start-up support
- Employability services and skills development
- Access to ultra-fast city centre broadband
- Opportunities for long-term anchor tenants and community partners
The project is well resourced, having received £150,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and an additional £25,000 from Perth and Kinross Council’s Adapt Your Property scheme. It has also secured additional private contributions and is in funding discussions with other established trusts and foundations.
This investment will bring a prominent vacant building back into productive use, supporting the Council’s vision for city centre regeneration and delivering on local economic and employability strategies.
Jackie Brierton, Trustee of PKOT, commented, “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to create a facility that will boost skills, create jobs and inspire entrepreneurship. The hub will help revitalise a part of Perth city centre that has been directly affected by recent challenges, turning it into a catalyst for positive change.”
Councillor Eric Drysdale, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, added, “This project is a fantastic example of how local business leaders and the Council can work together to deliver shared ambitions. Bringing a prime city centre property back into use supports our Perth City Development and Design Framework and demonstrates our commitment to investing in regeneration and economic growth.”
PKOT anticipates that within the first three years, 50 new or growing enterprises will be based in or supported by the hub and over 200 individuals will move into training, volunteering, or employment opportunities as a direct result of its work.
Roz Taylor, Operations Director, Elevator Business Gateway, commented, "This new hub will make enterprise and skills support even more accessible and inclusive—removing barriers, inspiring confidence and helping more people and businesses to thrive.”
Suzanne Steel, Skills Development Scotland, added to this by stating, “This innovative initiative will foster entrepreneurship, reduce barriers to employment and create lasting opportunities for the community.”
The building’s redesign is being led by award-winning Studio LBA, with a focus on circular design, re-use and adaptability. Commenting on their plans, Lynsay Bell Manson, Studio LBA Managing Director, said, “Our vision is to reimagine this long-vacant building as a vibrant civic asset—a space that is inclusive, future-focused, and deeply rooted in Perth’s sense of place.”
PKOT has submitted a planning application to Perth and Kinross Council and expects to appoint a preferred contractor for the building works in the coming weeks.
