An unused shop on one of Broughty Ferry’s busiest streets could get a new lease of life as a gin and prosecco bar.
Plans have been submitted to Dundee City Council to convert the former cycle shop at 57 Gray Street into a public house.
The single storey building would provide bar space for around 25 customers, as well as a new shopfront window on the Gray Street external wall being installed.
The plans have been submitted by Paul Doig Architects, on behalf of local DJ Craig Douris.
The informal cafe setting would primarily focus on serving the botanic spirit – which is enjoying a renaissance across Scotland – and the Italian tipple prosecco, a fizzy affordable alternative to champagne.
Mr Douris, who has entertained crowds at Club Tropicana and Fat Sams nightclubs over the years, believes his new venture would provide something a little bit different for the town.
He said: “This is a completely new route for me.
“I have been in the entertainment industry for a while because I DJ around the city. The plan is to open a cafe, which will also function as a prosecco and gin bar.
“It is all very early days at the moment but I think the Ferry could do with something new and exciting – we want to bring something new to the city.
“We are hoping to open early next year. We’re waiting for planning permission then need to apply for the premises licence.
“Those processes are likely to take a couple of months each. It’s a small venue so it’s only likely to sit between 24 to 28 people.”
If the proposals are successful, it would be the first new bar to open in the Ferry since Forgans opened their second Courier Country branch at the end of 2016.
The gin and prosecco bar would join a host of other hostelries packed in to the confines of the street, including Jolly’s Hotel, The Old Anchor, The Royal Arch and the tapas bar Sol Y Sombra – which was previously the Ferry Inn.
The former bicycle shop – World of Cycles – which once occupied the unit ceased trading at the end of last year.
Prosecco enjoyed a bumper year in trade in the UK last year, with UK residents responsible for guzzling more than 35.8 million gallons of the Italian delicacy in 12 months.
More than 70% of the gin consumed in the UK last year was produced in Scotland, with a number of local producers becoming big brand names.
