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25.01.10/updated 29.01.10

Applications 09/02211/CON and 09/02209/FLL having now been registered, Pitlochry & Moulin Community Council will hold a Special Meeting to view and discuss responses to the plans on Monday 8 February in Moulin Hall at 7.30pm.

Local observers have been quick to point out that there are already nine vacant high street/retail premises in the town (Kizmat, Greggs, Viva Art Shop, Wine Rack, House of Scotland, Haddows, the Jewellers, Perth College Learning Centre and the relocated Vet’s surgery above Julian Graves) - pictured here by Davy Nelson.

They maintain that, as these are not attracting any interest at their current rents, there is little commercial sense in the present economic climate in creating six new shops to compete further for tenants.

Comment spoke with a Highland Perthshire property professional of long standing. He stressed that rent levels are a function of the market mechanism and not merely the whim of a property owner. "Rents find their own level based upon demand," he said. "Over the past five years, for example, the rents in Pitlochry have been little changed."

Negotiation Process

He pointed out that landlords and leaseholders arrive at rent levels by negotiation. "It is incumbent upon a tenant to secure proper, professional advice upon the terms of a lease and the rent. Also, it should be noted, most leases are available for the rent arbitration process in the event of disagreement over levels of adjustments, and this prevents arbitrary rent spirals."

He went on to observe that, in Pitlochry’s case, the majority of the landlords of the ‘high street’ properties are based outwith Highland Perthshire.

With regards to the specific list he noted that:

• *  two of the vacancies are currently under offer and are expected to be trading once more from this Spring;
• *  two others are only seasonal closures; and
• *  two are the result of a national business going into administration;
• *  whilst the Lite-Bite (Greggs) premises are the subject of the Upland Developments' planning application.

"The former vet’s surgery is up for sale and not a retail shop front, and Perth College’s withdrawal from the town accounted for the other - albeit substantial - empty frontage."