THE BOSS of a one of Scotland’s top luxury hotels has described its neighbouring town as ‘manky’.
Businessman Stephen Leckie, chief executive of Crieff Hydro, said some buildings in Crieff’s centre are “dilapidated” and in a state of decay.
Mr Leckie, who is chairman of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, said there are issues surrounding the town centre that need to be addressed.
He said: “We should be more concerned with the bigger picture such as the significant number of dilapidated buildings and the state of some of the hotels – some of which are in a ‘manky’ condition.”
Crieff Hydro offers luxury hotel and self catering accommodation, and the family-run business is more than 140 years old.
Mr Leckie said: “It’s a question of looking at what’s going on in Crieff. Crieff Hydro needs Crieff to be doing well over time but some of its shops and buildings are not at their best – that’s the real reality and that is the bigger picture.
“The situation is not dissimilar to Perth and the towns of Perthshire. All the local towns are in the same position but we can’t expect the Government or council to fund improvements.
“Funding and getting extra benefits from it is too simple, we need to look at the financial cost and how long is it going to take to do this.”
Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Roseanna Cunningham said she agreed with his views.
She said: “I have to say I share Steven Leckie’s concerns about the state of some of the shops and buildings in Crieff. There is no doubt that there is a lot of work still to be done to enable Crieff’s business to get through these difficult times and show the town’s best face to visitors.
