A Menzieshill businessman has turned a parcel of land at the Bay View Bar into a public car park after being approached by frustrated staff at nearby Ninewells Hospital.
John Middleton is now allowing hospital workers and visitors to use parking spaces normally set aside for patrons of the newly refurbished premises, off Charleston Drive, following the unexpected visit.
”A group of midwives approached us because they were so annoyed at not being able to find a space in the hospital,” Mr Middleton said. ”They asked if we would open up our land, which we agreed to do.”
The car park can hold around 40 vehicles and is covered by CCTV. Visitors can park there all day for £2 or spend £1 for a four-hour stay.
The charges rival those found in the hospital grounds which have been set by the private company Vinci Park. The firm holds the long-term contract to manage over 2,000 parking spaces at the hospital.
However, bosses came under fire last year when they announced that they were again increasing the daily and short stay charge by 10p to £1.90 while the weekly pass increased from £9 to £9.50.
Monthly permits also went up, from £27.70 to £29.70, and the annual charge up by £24 to £356.40.
Mr Middleton insisted the charges he has set at his smaller operation are not designed to generate a profit.
”We are not making any money from this,” he said. ”This is for our customers and hopefully we can attract professionals from the hospital to not only use the car park but to stay and enjoy a meal.”
The Bay View Bar is nearing the end of a six-figure refurbishment after catching fire twice and having its roof ripped off during gales last year.
The pub is just yards from the western entrance to the hospital.
In a bid to ensure that customers to the bar are given preference when it comes to parking, Mr Middleton has launched a loyalty card scheme.
”Although we are not making money with the parking we are hoping that people who use it will come into the bar and see the improvements that have been carried out here,” Mr Middleton said.