Dundee Waterfront is launching a major campaign in Scotland’s biggest cities to attract new hospitality businesses to the city’s rapidly developing central waterfront area.
With the £1 billion Dundee Waterfront project now more than half way to completion and V&A Dundee progressing, the city needs hotels, restaurants and cafes to service an expected extra 300,000 visitors per year.
The campaign launch, which is being supported by local hospitality entrepreneurs and the British Hospitality Association in Scotland, will be launched at Dundee Waterfront Roadshows in Aberdeen on December 9, and Edinburgh and Glasgow on December 11.
The roadshows are in association with estate agents Ryden & MacRoberts, and will update entrepreneurs, investors and developers on the progress of the project.
Willie MacLeod, executive director of BHA Scotland, said: “Dundee has the potential to become a ‘great hospitality city’ with hospitality, tourism and leisure set to be major industries.
“We estimate that Dundee already supports around 6,500 direct and 3,000 indirect hospitality jobs, representing more than 13% of city employment.
“A wealth of new business opportunities will emerge from these growing industries, stimulated by the waterfront initiative and the V&A Dundee development.”
Dundee Waterfront director Allan Watt said more businesses are needed in advance of the surge in visitor numbers.
“We would encourage entrepreneurs to engage with the business opportunity by opening new restaurants, bars, cafes and bistros,” he said.
Local entrepreneurs backing the drive include Paul McMillian, owner of Castlehill Restaurant which holds the only two AA rosettes in the city; Jonathan Horne, who runs two restaurants and two coffee houses; and Andrew McMahon, who has two bars and a restaurant.
Paul McMillan said: “Dundee needs more hospitality businesses to invest in the city and ensure the additional 300,000 extra visitors per annum are provided with a comprehensive range of services.”
Andrew McMahon of the West House Bar and D’Arcy Thompson Restaurant, said: “I chose to build my career in Dundee, and we are on the cusp of major growth that is creating a wealth of opportunities for new enterprises and entrepreneurs.”
Dundee Waterfront is being transformed with a number of major infrastructure, business and visitor developments under way, including the new V&A Museum of Design Dundee, a proposed Maritime Way from RRS Discovery to the Frigate Unicorn, plans for a marina at City Quay, the new Dundee Railway Station, and new residential, office, leisure and recreational developments.
The final infrastructure contract has been awarded and the work to create the grid street pattern and new civic space is nearly complete.
Mike Galloway, director of city development with Dundee City Council, said: “To meet demand for space, Dundee Waterfront has just released one million square feet of prime land across four sites in the central waterfront area, with a further 500,000ft2 the following year.
“The land, which is owned by Dundee City Council, can be used for office, leisure, retail and residential projects.”