Dundee’s leaders have been told they must do more to protect the city centre economy as the owner of one of the Seagate’s longest established businesses announced it is to close.
Now sitting at the end of a lengthy row of empty and decaying shop units, Homecare – once Fair City Decorators – will disappear at the end of May.
Mohammed Afzal and his wife Taharah took over the business in 2001 but said increasingly poor trading conditions meant they could continue no longer.
He told The Courier the decision had been taken with “sadness and regret” but said a combination of factors had combined to cripple trade.
Though it is too late for his business, Mr Afzal has called upon Dundee City Council to look at the factors that he believes are hurting businesses.
In particular, he wants city leaders to take another look at their parking strategy and come up with a plan that will benefit traders.
Mr Afzal said: “My wife and I have tried everything possible to stay open and keep the business going but unfortunately there is not enough trade coming through the door.
“Lack of free parking around the Seagate area, the parking charges, the competition and convenience of out of town retail parks, online shopping and the many empty shop units around our business have all contributed to the loss of regular trade.
“In my view Dundee city Council needs to review its parking strategy and develop a clear action plan to support city centre traders.
“The retail parks surrounding the city centre are taking trade and they can count upon free parking right at their front doors.
“Meanwhile, the shop units on the Seagate are emptying and the Wellgate Centre is half empty. There’s nothing but pound shops at that end of town now.
“The council needs to work with traders to keep the city centre going and get it buzzing again, because at the moment it is just going down.”
Mr Afzal said his business had been blessed with “amazing, loyal customers” over the years, many of whom have already popped in to express their sadness at the news.
Nonetheless, he said it was impossible to consider continuing beyond a month-long closing down sale, given reduced takings and increasing running costs.
He said: “I took over this business in 2001 from the previous owner, who had been running it for nearly 14 years.
“We have been so fortunate with our customers, many of whom have become like friends, but we just can’t keep going.
“The difficult decision to close has been made with great sadness and regret.”
Long-time customer Mo Thomson from Whitfield in Dundee was paying what might be her final visit to the shop on Saturday.
After another successful shopping trip she said: “The help and service that Mohammed and his wife have given to us over the years has been fantastic.
“My husband and I have been regular customers for many years and we’re so sorry that the shop will disappear.
“Unfortunately there are so many empty shop units on the Seagate now and it has the reputation of being the most polluted street in Dundee, so I know it can’t be easy.”
Councillor suggests relaxing parking rules
Labour group leader Councillor Kevin Keenan said it was vital that the council consider measures to help struggling city centre retailers.
He believes any and all measures should be investigated to bring people into its shops and ensure that businesses are sustained.
“I would hope that our city development officers will be talking to the owners of shops in this area to see what can be done to help and ensure that the problems they face are not mirrored elsewhere.”
Mr Keenan said periods of free parking might be one means of encouraging people into the city’s shops.
“If parking options are poor, too restrictive or just too expensive, then the city must look at that,” he said.
“What would be wrong with a few free parking days or maybe one free parking weekend a month if it encourages people to visit, rather than see businesses decline.”
The councillor said there were no easy fixes, not least as people could call upon less disposable income and given the current uneasy economy.
The Seagate too, he said had faced some unique issues, as many busses have been diverted away in an effort to improve its pollution issues.
Mr Keenan said that could have had an impact on some people’s ease of access to Seagate traders.
‘We are doing what we can to support businesses’
Dundee City Council is painfully aware of the troubles being experienced by the area, but is working hard to make improvements, Maryfield SNP Councillor Ken Lynn told The Courier.
Mr Lynn said the council could do no little to affect major shopping trends, but has pledged to do all he can to help struggling retailers.
“I share many of Mr Afzal’s concerns about this end of the city centre and will be happy to speak to any traders to hear what they have to say.
“We are doing what we can to support businesses and this week I will be meeting with senior staff at the Wellgate to discuss the current situation.
“One of the issues I expect to hear about is the plan for a cinema and though this has stalled, there is some positivity around this development again.
“We cannot expect the Waterfront to have a miracle effect on all parts of the city centre, but I think its example can perhaps show the benefit of an anchor development.
“In this, the Wellgate will be key and we are working hard and doing what we can to help it do better.
“Hopefully that will bring more people to this end of town and benefit businesses on the Murraygate and indeed the Seagate.”
Mr Lynn said he and the council were willing to listen to any idea, including that of free Sunday parking, which does not currently exist in Dundee.
