A Dundee businessman has announced ambitious plans to turn a historic stable into the city’s “first authentic” wood-fired pizza restaurant.
Richie Hawkins, who owns the popular Taypark House Hotel, has submitted a planning application to renovate a historic stable and create a “unique” wood-fired pizza and barbecue restaurant.
Mr Hawkins intends to make use of some of the existing aspects of the 150 year old stable and combine the history of the structure with modern design.
In doing so he believes diners will be able to enjoy an educational and cultural experience
The hotel owner revealed: “It’s something I’ve had my eye on since I bought Taypark House.
“I’ve been trying to find out who owned the stable since I bought the hotel from the university.
“It took a bit of a process for them (the owner) to decide they were going to sell it and I was delighted when we got it.
“The building has been derelict for a long time, so this will be an opportunity to bring it back to life.
“It will offer something unique to Dundee and will be the city’s first authentic wood-fired pizza and barbecue restaurant.
“Taypark House is a four star boutique hotel and now we are working to take it to the next level.”
Mr Hawkins is hopeful the restaurant will be up and running by Spring 2017.
He believes the historic attraction of the site will tie in with the overall cultural regeneration of Dundee’s Waterfront.
The businessman said: “Lots of the old stable buildings have been sold off or turned into flats, so this will let people come and see what they were like.
“With everything else which is going on in Dundee, hopefully we can do something totally different.
“We will be hosting a pop-up farm shop on December 1 which will let people see the building.
“The plan is to then to hopefully open in Spring 2017.”
