A barometer of how our city is doing, I find, comes annually – as parents organise end of school year presents for their kids’ teachers.
A mum from each class volunteers to buy a thank you gift and everyone contributes a tenner towards it.
A picture of said gift is usually posted on the class WhatsApp group, receiving loveheart and thumbs up emojis, before it’s sent in on the last day of term to a smiling teacher who possibly can’t wait to lie in a darkened room.
A few years ago, vouchers for St James Quarter shopping centre in Edinburgh were commonplace.
John Lewis was also a favourite, with teachers able to visit Glasgow or Edinburgh stores or buy online.
This year, presents reflected a feeling – that Dundee is having its moment in the sun.
For almost every present came from city.
Take the teacher who likes cheese and wine – Aitken’s Wines along with The Cheesery fitted the bill.
Patrick Rodhe took over the 150 year old Aitken’s – Dundee’s only independent wine shop – 15 years ago and has worked wonders; while the Cheesery now has shops in the Ferry and Exchange Street in town. Visiting is an experience and I defy any cheese lover not to leave with more than you intended to buy.
Majestic Wine along the Arbroath Road is another firm favourite for the present list, providing tasting notes for each bottle – so while a chain, a personal, knowledgeable touch is always felt.
One mum posted that she’d got vouchers for dinner or lunch at Collinsons in the Ferry, where I’ve never heard of a bad review.
Even vouchers for another teacher from Frasers chain of department stores can now be used now in Dundee, with its high end designer outlets and make up brands in the Overgate to rival Glasgow and Edinburgh offerings. That seemed like a pipe dream until recently.
Afternoon tea was a treat for another at TayPark Hotel, while vouchers for boutiques including Lulu&M in the Ferry were also chosen.
Dundee businesses are flying
The Ferry has long been a destination for its independent clothes boutiques, from Patricia B to Prego and Tiger Lily – and continues to thrive.
The shift is seismic. We are flying.
It irks to hear negativity – albeit from a minority but a heck of a gloomy one – when we are doing well.
Like the man who told me “it will never last” when I did my normal cheerleader act for he city, bamboozling him with stats about the Overgate. I’d just written a column and the facts were fresh.
For anyone who questions whether so many business can thrive here, history tells us there is room for anything which is good enough.
It’s why we have landmarks we know and love – from Mennies to Visocchi’s to the Agacan and many more – names synonymous with Dundee and our memories.
Sadly not every town and city is thriving like us – as I often say, with work travel I see the decimation of many a high street around the UK.
In terms of retail, Perth is on its knees – with some hopeful shoots of recovery.
And Aberdeen has seen better days.
Not so long ago, Dundonians would often think of visiting Aberdeen for a day’s shopping. But now, with the likes of John Lewis having closed their doors and a general air of gloom around the city, they are coming to us.
And if they’re not, they soon will.
Dundee may not have been at the races a few years ago, but now it really is.
Mango has returned, I spotted a Castore sports shop, the Frasers and Sports Direct are epic – and I’ve heard many say they have everything crossed Zara will come back soon too.
While its former branch on the corner of Commercial and High Street may not have suited their business – being part of a shiny, modern centre like the Overgate with guaranteed footfall is surely tempting.
To have this mix of local and national businesses in Dundee seems perfect – and there is room for both. Though while we may be thriving, it is not easy to run any successful business. Many have folded – in the post Covid gloom or victim of online shopping. Behind every business, there is a story and it is rarely if ever plain sailing.
We possibly don’t commend ourselves on certain traits when we should – ambition, innovation and hard work.
But we – Dundonains – are grafters. Many work hard and the fruits of that labour are now, in this special moment, coming to fruition.
Let’s keep positive, talking ourselves up, working hard and supporting local businesses.
And let’s definitely bask in the glory of creating such an exciting place to call home.
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