Proposed sale of Former George Inn Lane Centre, Perth – a Common Good Property

Overview

The former George Inn Lane Centre, Perth, is a common good property owned by Perth & Kinross Council that has been vacant for several years.  The Council has declared it to be surplus to operational requirements and recently marketed the building and adjoining car parking area for sale; please refer to the Draft Deed Plan below for location and extent of the property. 

Following a closing date, a preferred bidder has been identified. The Council is required to publish relevant details and seek feedback before taking any decision to dispose of a common good property.  If you have any objection to the proposed sale, please submit your views via the Online Survey link at the bottom of this page.

Why your views matter

The former George Inn Lane Centre has been vacant in recent years aside from limited use for storage. With the building being surplus to requirements, the Council marketed the site for sale.

Multiple offers were received at the closing date on 27 May 2025, which were scored by Estates officers according to the weighted criteria published in the closing date letter that was issued to interested parties. The highest scoring offer was that submitted by Fergus Purdie trading as Fergus Purdie Architects, having a place of business at 5A Melville Street, Perth.

The former George Inn Lane Centre (above) has been identified as a common good property in a recent review. The Council is running a public consultation now as the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 places a statutory duty on local authorities to publish relevant details and seek feedback before taking any decision to dispose of a common good property.

Fergus Purdie Architects propose to refurbish and convert the existing redundant building to a high-quality design, providing a mix of residential and studio space for creatives living and working in Perth city centre, alongside external amenity space. The proposed development shares characteristics and challenges with one of their previous projects at 5A Melville Street, where they developed studios, workshops, living spaces and a communal courtyard for an artist and an architect, and which also features a public-facing exhibition window.

Officers consider that this proposal will have a strong positive impact on the regeneration and urban renewal of George Inn Lane. The development approach is sustainable by re-using an existing building and avoiding demolition, and Fergus Purdie Architects have demonstrated their commitment to cultural activities and quality architecture.

The Council welcomes the views of present and former residents of the city of Perth on both:

1. the general principle of disposing of the former George Inn Lane Centre; and
2. officers’ proposed recommendation to the Perth Common Good Fund Committee that it approves the sale of the former George Inn Lane Centre to Fergus Purdie Architects.

This consultation will be open to responses from members of the public for eight weeks.  If you have any objection to the proposed sale, please submit your views via the Online Survey link at the bottom of this page.

A summary of the results of this consultation will be made publicly available on the Perth & Kinross Consultation Hub.  A summary will also be included within a report concerning the proposed disposal of the Former George Inn Lane Centre that will be submitted to the Perth Common Good Fund Committee.

Personal information you provide, such as your name, may be used in a report to the Council, or one of its committees.  Any report which is prepared may be accessible by the public.  Your contact details will not appear in a report and your information will not be disclosed to third parties except as described above or if the Council is required to do so by law.