Robertson completes transformation of empty school building into arts facility

The company served as main contractors for Perth Creative Exchange, opened by the Provost of Perth and Kinross, Dennis Melloy yesterday.

Kevin Dickson, managing director of Robertson Tayside, said: “Working with hub East Central Scotland and Perth & Kinross Council, we have delivered a space which will support the creative sector both now and in the years to come.

“This hub will be a boost to the arts community in Perth and further afield, and everyone at Robertson is delighted to see it thriving already.”

The project saw an empty school building, the former St John’s Primary School, transformed into a facility of high-quality, affordable studios for artists, makers and creative businesses.

The new facility houses The Famous Grouse Ideas Centrefor creative business incubation, a facility which was part funded by the Scottish Cities Alliance’s 8th City Programme, funded through the European Union’s ERDF Strategic Intervention, as well as with a significant contribution from Edrington (The Famous Grouse).

Provost Dennis Melloy said: “I am delighted to see the Perth Creative Exchange facility come into being, made possible by a £3.5 million investment by Perth & Kinross Council.

“We are creating an environment which encourages creative and artistic growth, whilst retaining and attracting talent to the City of Perth. Not only has Perth Creative Exchange attracted resident creative people from across Scotland to the Fair City, this splendid facility is already fully let and expected to support 66 full time equivalent jobs and generate wage earnings of just under one million pounds per annum across the local economy.”

Audrey Carlin, CEO of Wasps, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that artists, makers and creative businesses have shown for the new Perth Creative Exchange, and it has been amazing to see this old school building come back to life.

“The official opening is the chance to mark what we hope will be the start of a new chapter in the story of the area’s cultural economy – and will also be the moment when we start to welcome in the general public, for what will be the first of many exhibitions.

“Perth and Kinross has an abundance of creative talent but there has been a real shortage of the high-quality, affordable studio and workspace.

“Hubs like this can help turn the tide, by providing creative people with affordable and high-quality studios and offices they need in order to build thriving businesses.”

Wasps, a national charity and social enterprise which regenerates redundant historic buildings and gives them new futures as centres of creativity, now has 20 buildings across Scotland and expects to be catering for over 1,000 tenants by the end of 2020.