Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and Answers About Doing Business in Perth & Kinross
Whether you're a small, independent business looking to build skills and develop, or a large organisation with ambitions for growth and market expansion, the Business Growth Team at Perth and Kinross Council is here to help.
We've taken our most frequently asked questions and offered links and signposting to help you get started. If you need more detail, or if you'd like to speak to us in person, you can contact us directly by phone or email.
We may be a little bias, but yes, Perth in Scotland is an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes and stages. Here's a quick list of the key benefits that companies list when asked why Perth works for them.
- Location - With an excellent roads infrastructure and a multi-million pound strategy in Perth Transport Futures, Perth is one of the most well connected cities in Scotland. Strong rail and road links to the rest of the UK, and only an hour from both Edinburgh and Glasgow international airports makes distribution and movement of people effortless.
- Business Support - From grants and funding to business development support, exporting advice and more, a number of organisations work together to help you reach and exceed your business goals.
- Quality of Life - A local environment that nurtures a positive work/life balance is fast becoming one of the top requirement for companies looking to grow, After all, a happy, well and content team is one of the most important factors in any business.
- Commitment to Sustainability - With a public commitment to make Perth one of Europe’s most sustainable small cities, Perth and Kinross is building on its strong environmental foundations by steering an agenda for green growth as laid out in the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.
You can read more about Perth and Kinross's key strengths for business on the following pages:
The Business Growth Team at Perth and Kinross Council
The Business Growth Team at Perth and Kinross Council is an excellent first contact for new businesses in the area. While we do not work directly with businesses in an advisory capacity, we can signpost you to the relevant people, Council departments and partner organisations, saving you valuable time as you set out out on your business journey.
We can also help you identify licensing and planning requirements your business may face, and ensure you are working within the letter of the law from the start.
Contact the Business Growth Team at PKC >
Partner Organisations
A full service of free advice and support to business at all stages of their journey is available from PKC partners >
Perth & Kinross Council has a number of development land sites for sale at Northfield Business Park of varying sizes from 1.5 to 12 acres:
Should your plans include growing within the area, or moving into the area from elsewhere, then please contact the Business Growth Team at PKC who will be happy to assist you in your search for suitable premises in Perth, Perthshire, and Kinross. We do this through our established working relationships with local commercial agents, and on-the-ground knowledge of the local property market.
There are a number of well connected, knowledgeable commercial property agents based in the area, and we can assist you in finding commercial premises and land including:
- Office premises for let and sale in Perth and Kinross
- Retail and Restaurant premises for let and sale in Perth and Kinross
- Units suitable for health and wellbeing businesses in Perth and Kinross
- Commercial and industrial units for manufacturing, distribution, fabrication, and more in Perth and Kinross
- Land for commercial development in Perth & Kinross
We also recommend contacting the larger agents directly:
Perth & Kinross Council administer a number of business grants and funding opportunities targeted at stimulating economic growth, as well as offering signposting advice to larger national funds that may be of use. These are now open for the 2024/25 financial year.
There are many different grants and funds which cover a variety of projects and activities, however these cannot be used to cover costs which you have already incurred.
If you would like to discuss your ideas or plans, please email [email protected] and we will be pleased to arrange a time to speak with you.
You can find details of all grants and funding opportunities, including those for bringing vacant properties back to life, on the Business Funding in Perth & Kinross page >
Alternatively, please contact the Business Growth Team who can connect you with the PKC's Vacant Property team.
If you are looking to raise between £150k - £750k then angel investment is one route that could help you realise your ambitions.
Our Angel's Share programme provides a unique opportunity to present your business idea to multiple investors in a supported environment. Find out more about the Angel's Share Programme on the Support Services from PKC page.
If you would like to know more, please contact Finlay Kerr who delivers the Angel’s Share on behalf of Perth & Kinross Council.
To check whether you require planning permission or not, please see: What needs planning permission? - Perth & Kinross Council (pkc.gov.uk)
For enquiries about planning permission requirements, please contact: [email protected]
The Business Growth Team can connect businesses with the council’s Local Taxes team who can advise on any Non-Domestic Rates enquiries.
You can also reach out directly to the team via the Business Rates page on Perth & Kinross Council website >
Sign up to receive the Business and Economy Bulletin to be kept up to date with inward investment opportunities in Perth and Kinross, industry news, trends, skills initiatives, business funding opportunities, and networking events.
You will also be the first to hear about surveys and business feedback opportunities, giving you the chance to have your say in any consultations.
Sign up to the Invest in Perth Business and Economy Bulletin here >
The Invest in Perth Magazine comes out twice per year, in March and September. You can download and read the Invest In Perth magazine here.
You can also request a physical copy to be posted to you. Please contact the Business Growth Team with your request, ensuring you give your full name, company name and company postal address.
As we continue to develop and enhance the Monthly Business & Economy bulletin, our plan is to incorporate broader economic development news. Please do send us relevant media releases, or suggestions for topics you would like to see covered. Email [email protected].
If you would like to feature in the twice-annually Invest in Perth Magazine, please contact Kirsty Easton, Senior Economic Development Officer, directly.