Property owners in Perth city centre have begun a comprehensive repairs project to a historic tenement building.

Scaffolding has been erected along the frontage of 31b-37 High Street, part of a row of Category B listed tenements dating from the late 18th century, which overlook the site of Perth’s medieval market cross.

The project has support from Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust (PKHT) through the Perth City Heritage Fund, and Perth & Kinross Council through its Vacant Property Initiative.

PKHT has provided a grant of over £100,000 from the Perth City Heritage Fund to the tenement Owners’ Association to aid with the overall costs of completing extensive communal repairs above the recently improved jewellers’ premises, to help conserve the building and stair tower. This will include work on the roof, chimneys, drainpipes and masonry.

The project, with a total cost in the region of £300,000, is expected to take at least three months to complete, with traditional materials (including lime mortar and geologically matched stone) and skills being put to use.

The Owners’ Association was formed by the businesses, landlords and homeowners in the building to take forward the comprehensive repairs required.

Chairman of the Owners’ Association, jeweller Derek Paterson, said: “This tenement is of regional significance, and we came together in the spirit of co-operation to address the work that is needed to conserve the building into the future. It also complements the assistance and work already undertaken to extend and improve our premises.

“We’re absolutely delighted that the Perth City Heritage Fund has been able to provide this significant grant funding, and also that we have been able to use a local conservation-accredited architect, Graham Mitchell of @rchitects Scotland, and One-Call Ltd, building contractors from Perth, to take forward the project.”

Sue Hendry, chairman of PKHT, indicated how pleased she was that the project had started on site: “No one can underestimate the hard work it can be for an Owners’ Association to get to this stage of a project, with 15 different owners being responsible for various parts of the communal works and they should be congratulated for reaching this stage. We look forward to seeing conservation best practice and traditional craft skills transform this important historic building over the next few months. This just shows some of the wonderful possibilities the City Heritage Fund can offer.”

Images copyright PKHT