'Bits of the jigsaw coming together' — Dundee is open for business
Dundee's retail sector is better placed to tackle the challenging conditions facing the economy than many other cities, according to a local business leader.
- By Jonathan Watson
- Published in the Courier : 10.08.11
- Published online : 10.08.11 @ 04.55pm
Derek Little, chairman of city centre action group DD One, believes that regeneration work within Dundee coupled to the arrival of new retailers has sent an important message to people that the city is open for business.
Mr Little's words come amid great uncertainty in global markets and a report from commercial property consultants Ryden, who warn that there is no "single solution" to tackle rising retail vacancies in Scottish town centres.
However, while admitting that shop vacancies are inevitable in the economic climate, Mr Little says that perceptions of Dundee are changing for the better and the city has reasons to be optimistic.
He said, "We all know the reputation that Dundee had 20 years ago but these people are now having second thoughts.
"To have Superdry and Apple (stocked by the Stormfront store) come to the city is superb and it takes just one other and a lot of people will look again at Dundee."
He added, "We have the V&A, Discovery, the Gallacher retail park and we're getting a lot of good feedback from clients.
"There's a lot of work going on in the background to encourage retail investment and when you see bits of the jigsaw coming together then we can look to the future."
As fears mount over a second recession, many high streets continue to wear the scars of the one just past, with many shops lying empty.
05.24pm - 10.08.2011 Brian - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Apple haven't come to Dundee, a reseller of Apple products called Stormfront. Which also happens to be the name of a White Supremacist group and is the first thing that appears when doing a google search http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=stormfront
09.59pm - 10.08.2011 Imbroglio - Forfar, Scotland Report This
I think the fellow is talking about brands to come to city shops, not necessarily the shop names themselves. It's not an actual Apple store but a Stormfront, stocking Apple goods.
01.02am - 11.08.2011 Kate F-H - Perthshire, Scotland Report This
Imbroglio, when can the good people of Forfar expect to celebrate the opening of an actual Apple store, but a Stormfront, stocking Apple goods?
07.39am - 11.08.2011 Matthew - Dundee, UK Report This
I agree entirelcy with this assessment. The V&A will be the latest (huge) piece. I'm expecting The people who run the city to use it as a lever to attract others to the city. But as a completed puzzle, we've still got a ways to go. And I say that not in criticism, but in anticipation
08.55am - 11.08.2011 Bob Scarecrow - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Yay! More places for Dundee junkies to perform their 'huddle 'n' hassle' routines.
09.11am - 11.08.2011 Wayne - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
So I take it that sale of Apple products in a store is a mark of a cities success? How about they sort the Wellgate out?
11.37am - 11.08.2011 Stewart - Dundee, Scotland Report This
The Wellgate has recently been bought so hopefully they have plans for it. Dundee must be admired for the fact that there are hardly any vacent retail units in the city centre (bar the Wellgate). If you look at Scotlands other major cities, the picture is not so rosy.
12.35am - 13.08.2011 Abbie - Edinburgh, UK Report This
The next decade, that following V&A that is, is going to be very interesting for Dundee. Good Luck, guys. You deserve it.
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