Perth and Kinross Council’s £1.5 million regeneration project won the “Great Street” award in the 2022 Urbanism Awards. 

Organised by the Academy of Urbanism, the awards recognise “the best, most enduring or most improved urban environments”.

Kilmac managing director Athole McDonald was thrilled with the award. 

“As the main contractor, the Kilmac team was involved with the ambitious cultural development linking Perth Theatre and the Concert Hall from start to finish,” he said. 

“As someone who has lived in Perth all my days, I must admit there was an element of pressure to ensure we got it right. 

“Many of the team on the project live in the Perth area and I know they take pride in the way it all came together.  

“It was a high-profile development – rather like the current project we are involved with to create the Perth Museum – and I’m delighted that Perth and Kinross Council has been awarded the Great Street award. 

“Throughout the length of the phased 30-week contract we were determined to liaise with local businesses to ensure they were kept up to speed with our progress and deliveries could be maintained for local and national outlets.  

“This prestigious accolade is great news for everyone who was involved in transforming Mill Street and the Skinnergate. 

“As an added bonus, the project allowed several trainee engineers and unemployed youngsters to gain a foothold on the jobs ladder.” 

Convener of Perth & Kinross Council’s Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee, Councillor Andrew Parrott, attended Thursday’s awards ceremony. He said: “The creation of a cultural quarter in Mill Street has been so successful it can be hard to remember what the street was like before.

“Its transformation has created a public space that is not only more attractive, but also more inclusive and welcoming for our residents and visitors. I was delighted to accept this award on behalf the Council and offer my own congratulations to the Place Development Team for their work on this project.”

The awards were presented by poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan, who wrote poems for each nominated finalist. His poem on Mill Street described it as “a shining jewel/recharging this place for all that it is worth”.

Other locations nominated for the Great Street Award were Barnes High Street in London and Solar Avenue in Leeds.

Mill Street was originally a back lane inside, and adjacent to, medieval Perth’s city walls. Before its redevelopment, it had become a “back door” for shops and other premises on the High Street, used primarily for deliveries and bins.

In 2014, the council agreed to an ambitious plan to create a new “cultural quarter” in the city centre, connecting the remodelled Perth Theatre, Perth Concert Hall and the Museum and Art Gallery that was safe for pedestrians and would revitalise the city centre.

Horsecross Plaza, outside the Concert Hall, also provides a venue for outdoor events and spectacular “in bloom” displays each summer.

The vennels connecting Mill Street to the High Street, - Skinnergate, Guard and Cutlog, were also improved. Cutlog Vennel, which runs alongside Perth Theatre has recently become home to an illuminated installation by renowned Scottish artist Nathan Colley.