Two million more visits to Perth High Street from April to December 2024
Perth's High Street benefited from an additional two million visits over the first nine months of Perth Museum opening. Since Perth Museum opened its doors on March 31, 2024, it has welcomed around 260,000 visitors. And the museum is reported to not only have drawn thousands of visitors to the Fair City but helped improve people's perception of Perth. At a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council's Scrutiny and Performance Committee on Wednesday, April 23, Culture Perth and Kinross chief executive Helen Smout provided an update on the impact of the opening of the £27 million museum in the centre of Perth. Ms Smout told councillors: "Visitor satisfaction has been wonderful. We've had more than two million additional High Street visits between the time the museum opened and the end of December. "We'll not be the only people that have driven that but it is certainly part of it. "We're seeing an increased interest in accommodation and booking for wider Perthshire and 67 per cent of the visitors we have surveyed have said they have an improved perception of Perth as a place to visit and to work or live. That was very much one of our key targets for the museum to help change people's idea of Perth as a place to visit. "We hear the words all the time, 'Oh gosh I'd forgotten Perth was here' or 'I'm rediscovering it' or 'It's wonderful, I haven't been here for years'. "So it's bringing people back to the city and it's bringing new people to the city." But the majority of visitors to Perth Museum are not bothering to book a free time slot to see its main attraction. The latest figures shared with councillors last Wednesday reported there had been 87,112 visits to the Stone of Destiny - 34 per cent of visitors. The Culture Perth and Kinross chief said: "At the heart of the museum is the Stone of Destiny. However, only around a third visit the stone. Two thirds are coming to see the rest of the museum and the story of Perth and the temporary exhibitions. "We had our first annual condition check of the stone - that's part of the loan agreement - and I'm pleased to say it was in excellent condition. We haven't spoilt it! It's doing really well. "And visitors continue to find the opportunity to access time with the stone - even if they are not from the UK or weren't aware of the object before they arrived - as something that is very moving. They recognise its significance and its continued significance and the fact that they have something they can access free, they're really appreciative of, which is always good news." Since opening, the museum has scooped up a host of awards including Cultural Building of the Year at the Archello Awards and Best Civic Brand Identity at the Scottish Design Awards. Ms Smout grinned: "It really is an award-winning museum in the middle of Perth and it's something that everyone should be really proud of. "It feels like a bit of a moment for Perth that it's going to make a lasting change."
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