Latest news with #TayCitiesRegionDeal
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Pitlochry Festival Theatre ticket sales increase by 200 per cent after £21 million revamp, new offer and strategic direction
Perth and Kinross Council's People, Partnerships and Funding manager this week said the theatre was "reaping the rewards" Ticket sales for Pitlochry Festival Theatre are 200 per cent higher than they were this time last year. The Highland Perthshire theatre is said to be "reaping the rewards" of a £21.3 million transformation, a new offer and a new strategic direction. Perth and Kinross councillors were given an update on the impact of the investment and other local Tay Cities Region Deal projects at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, May 7. PKC's People, Partnerships and Funding manager Alison Seggie began the update by giving a presentation to councillors on Pitlochry Festival Theatre. She said: "Work started on developing this project way back in 2013 and I have been involved all along. "The total cost of the project is something like £21.3 million - £10 million of that from the Tay Cities Deal. Additional money came from the Dunard Fund, The Gannochy Trust and numerous individual donors. "Pitlochry Festival Theatre is proud to share the completion of its ambitious project marking a significant milestone in the theatre's development and its role as a major cultural destination in the Highlands." Councillors were told the theatre was "reaping the rewards of the investment". The £21 million revamp included a new-look entrance, a fully completed second performance space - The Studio, the newly expanded foyer, brand new toilets, a refurbished auditorium, as well as new glazing and a new roof to improve energy efficiency. Ms Seggie told elected members: "In the 2024/25 financial year, the theatre welcomed 82,237 visitors. And - notably - in the current advanced ticket sales for this year, they're already 200 per cent ahead of the same point in the previous season - a clear endorsement of the investment in the building, the refreshed offer and the theatre's strategic direction. "With the capital transformation now complete and a new chapter in the theatre's artistic leadership about to begin, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is confidently positioned to drive further cultural tourism and economic benefits for Perth and Kinross." Alan Cumming took over as the theatre's artistic director in January 2025. His first programmed season will begin in 2026. Other Perth and Kinross projects which have benefited from investment from the Tay Cities Region Deal include: £35 million on the International Barley Hub and £27m on the Advanced Plant Growth Centre at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie; £10 million towards Perth Museum; £2 million on rural high-speed broadband in Angus and Perth and Kinross, and £790,000 for the first phase of creating a Low Carbon Travel Hub at Broxden, Perth. Moving the report for approval, SNP council leader Grant Laing said: "This report provides an update on progress with the Tay Cities Region Deal. The Deal was approved in December 2020 and has now moved into its fifth year of implementation. "The Deal, and the projects and programmes within the Deal, represent the most significant investment in the economic development of our area in recent times. "Good progress is being made and key projects which will deliver significant economic benefits have already been delivered within Perth and Kinross and the wider Tay Cities region. "However, a significant number of projects remain to be fully developed, and gain business case approval. Several challenges to the delivery of the Deal and its projects have arisen over the first five-year funding period; including the impact of the COVID Pandemic, and inflationary pressures on some projects; these have led to delays in progressing business cases. "An approach to re-shaping the programme has been agreed by the Joint Committee recently, and officers will have to confirm whether projects are still deliverable in their original format, require some changes, or may have to be de-committed, and potentially new projects proposed and agreed. This will take place over a 12-month period with a new programme to be finalised by the summer of next year and agreed with partners, and both governments." Two of the Tay Cities Region Deal projects still to be fully developed include £8.1 million earmarked for an Aviation Academy at UHI Perth and £15 million towards the long-awaited Perth Bus/Rail Interchange.
The Herald Scotland
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Ticket sales for Scottish theatre '200 per cent higher' than last year
Perth and Kinross councillors were given an update on the impact of the investment and other local Tay Cities Region Deal projects at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, May 7. PKC's People, Partnerships and Funding manager Alison Seggie began the update by giving a presentation to councillors on Pitlochry Festival Theatre. She said: 'Work started on developing this project way back in 2013 and I have been involved all along. READ MORE: Alan Cumming says 'we don't cover the classics enough in Scottish theatres' Alan Cumming named as Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre I've never been so glad to see the curtain fall on any play in my life 'The total cost of the project is something like £21.3 million – £10 million of that from the Tay Cities Deal. Additional money came from the Dunard Fund, The Gannochy Trust and numerous individual donors. 'Pitlochry Festival Theatre is proud to share the completion of its ambitious project marking a significant milestone in the theatre's development and its role as a major cultural destination in the Highlands.' Councillors were told the theatre was 'reaping the rewards of the investment'. The £21 million revamp included a new-look entrance, a fully completed second performance space – The Studio, the newly expanded foyer, brand new toilets, a refurbished auditorium, as well as new glazing and a new roof to improve energy efficiency. Ms Seggie told elected members: 'In the 2024/25 financial year, the theatre welcomed 82,237 visitors. And – notably – in the current advanced ticket sales for this year, they're already 200 per cent ahead of the same point in the previous season – a clear endorsement of the investment in the building, the refreshed offer and the theatre's strategic direction. 'With the capital transformation now complete and a new chapter in the theatre's artistic leadership about to begin, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is confidently positioned to drive further cultural tourism and economic benefits for Perth and Kinross.' Alan Cumming took over as the theatre's artistic director in January 2025 (Image: Pitlochry Festival Theatre) Alan Cumming took over as the theatre's artistic director in January 2025. His first programmed season will begin in 2026. Other Perth and Kinross projects which have benefited from investment from the Tay Cities Region Deal include: £35 million on the International Barley Hub and £27m on the Advanced Plant Growth Centre at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie; £10 million towards Perth Museum; £2 million on rural high-speed broadband in Angus and Perth and Kinross, and £790,000 for the first phase of creating a Low Carbon Travel Hub at Broxden, Perth. Moving the report for approval, SNP council leader Grant Laing said: 'This report provides an update on progress with the Tay Cities Region Deal. The Deal was approved in December 2020 and has now moved into its fifth year of implementation. 'The Deal, and the projects and programmes within the Deal, represent the most significant investment in the economic development of our area in recent times. 'Good progress is being made and key projects which will deliver significant economic benefits have already been delivered within Perth and Kinross and the wider Tay Cities region. 'However, a significant number of projects remain to be fully developed, and gain business case approval. Several challenges to the delivery of the Deal and its projects have arisen over the first five-year funding period; including the impact of the COVID Pandemic, and inflationary pressures on some projects; these have led to delays in progressing business cases. 'An approach to re-shaping the programme has been agreed by the Joint Committee recently, and officers will have to confirm whether projects are still deliverable in their original format, require some changes, or may have to be de-committed, and potentially new projects proposed and agreed. This will take place over a 12-month period with a new programme to be finalised by the summer of next year and agreed with partners, and both governments.' Two of the Tay Cities Region Deal projects still to be fully developed include £8.1 million earmarked for an Aviation Academy at UHI Perth and £15 million towards the long-awaited Perth Bus/Rail Interchange.
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New £150m River Tay crossing opens after years of planning
A £150m road crossing over the River Tay has officially opened after years of planning and Cross Tay Link Road runs from west of the A9 and joins with the A93 and A94 north of Scone.A report previously prepared for Perth and Kinross Council said it would pave the way for thousands of new jobs and relieve traffic project centres around Destiny Bridge – a three-span structure crossing the River Tay - and the New Kingsway - a 6km (3.7 miles) stretch of new carriageway. It also includes 2km (1.2 miles) of realigned dual carriageway on the A9 just north of Inveralmond roundabout. The preferred route was approved by councillors in 2016 with planning permission granted three years medallist, Eilidh Doyle, who comes from the area, led a parade of local people including joggers, wheelchair users and cyclists to commemorate the new 12km (7.4 miles) active travel path network which also opened as part of the path network incorporates a green bridge to separate people and wildlife from the opening ceremony was led by First Minister John Swinney and Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing. The project has been funded by Scottish government via a £40m contribution to Perth & Kinross Council, with the balance coming from the local authority Swinney said: "The completion of the New Kingsway and Destiny Bridge is a significant milestone for Perth, and I have no doubt that it will be transformative for the area and bring enormous benefits to all who use it."Reducing traffic volumes in the city centre will make journey times quicker, while also helping to reduce pollution, improve air quality, and free up road space for improved public transport."He said the Scottish government's £40m investment was in addition to the £150m the Scottish government had already committed to the Tay Cities Region Deal, which is expected to create 6,000 jobs and bring a further £400m of investment into the region."This project showcases exactly how, with the right investment and strong partnerships, we will continue to deliver on my priorities of growing the economy, improving public services and protecting the planet," Swinney said. 'Momentous achievement' A report to the council had highlighted "increasing concern" about traffic congestion and air quality issues in and around Perth over the past 20 said that every £1 of capital invested in the Cross Tay Link Road would generate an estimated £4.30 of also said it could lead to £966m of private sector investment via new housing and Laing previously said: "As the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by Perth and Kinross Council, the opening of Destiny Bridge and the New Kingsway marks a momentous achievement for all involved."I would like to offer thanks to the project team for their hard work and dedication; and to residents, particularly those in Stormontfield, Scone and Luncarty, for their patience and understanding during the build."He added: "As well as positively impacting on the environment and economy, during construction the project has created job opportunities and tackled local skills shortages through a robust outreach and training programme."It has also assisted in, and generated, several legacy projects including the Denmarkfield Allotments and Community Orchards, the new active travel path network and the cmmunity artwork project, all of which will bring enjoyment and health benefits for our Perth and Kinross residents for many years to come."
