MARTEL MAXWELL: Saturday visit gave me reasons to be positive about Dundee city centre |
“Of course we won’t have to book anywhere,” I said as we left the house.
It was 4.30pm on a Saturday. We were off to a surprise 40th in Newport and had to be in situ around 6pm.
“Come on,” I said. “We’ve got time for a quick bite if we go now. The kids are being looked after. When was the last time we went out just the two of us?”
We parked up – not an easy feat in the West Port/Old Hawkhill area with its through-road currently closed.
Back in October, the side of a building started to bulge and scaffolding was erected to stop its collapse.
The Tinsmith pub, located below, has been forced to close until further notice, and dozens of residents evacuated.
Necessary, but it can’t be good for business.
Quest for food in Dundee
Our go-to, buzzy tapas restaurant Gallery 48, would no doubt be dead.
As the door swung open, I did a double take. Every table was occupied.
“Sorry,” the waiter said. Completely full. “You could try the West House down the road.”
We did and it too was full.
Scratching our heads, we crossed the road to Molly Malones, home of my first bar job at 18, when it was called The Globe.
Time was ticking and by this point I’d settle for a bowl of chips.
But it too was heaving. Not a seat to be had at precisely 5.55pm on a Saturday.
So often I’ve lamented the rotten time of it had by landlords and restaurateurs; how they all but have to do magic tricks to turn a profit.
While one busy Saturday afternoon doesn’t make that untrue, only by getting out can you see what’s actually happening in Dundee.
If a friend hadn’t opened Sook Kitchen (lovely for coffee and daytime food) I wouldn’t have ventured along Bank Street off Reform Street and seen the charming run of places like neighbouring Hofn to get a decent coffee, or Tahini for top-rated Lebanese food.
There are empty units in our city centre but less than many other cities and towns – and the rate of new leases across Dundee is encouraging.
From an African clothes shop called ChinyCouture in St Andrews Street, to Popeyes’ first Dundee takeaway at Kingsway West Retail Park, replacing the old Pizza Hut.
Dundee LiveHouse impact
Another American fast-food chain has chosen Dundee to open a restaurant – Wendy’s on Reform Street.
Black Rooster – which has closed its Arbroath Road outlet – will testify that making a success of this kind of business is not guaranteed.
However, there are green shoots everywhere, not least the rate of units being taken, from global brands to independents starting out.
Their presence makes our high streets look healthier and here’s hoping they all thrive.
A friend who works close to the train station tells me Dundee is busier than she can remember.
She credits this to our new music venue LiveHouse, which has a capacity of 4,500.
On many an early evening she’ll see swathes of revellers exit the station en masse for a gig as she leaves work.
And on the rare weekend she pops into her office, it’s not unusual to see crowds of adults looking for somewhere to eat after one of the venue’s afternoon discos.
‘Don’t drink on an empty stomach’
Back to my Saturday afternoon quest for food.
We considered a chippie in the car but headed over the bridge instead, settling for a packet of ready salted crisps and a G&T in the Newport Bar – standing room only.
Then onto Shoreline – a stunning new bar and restaurant overlooking the Tay – for my friend Judy’s do and she was suitably surprised.
I may have taken the mic and sung a couple of songs and this would be entirely acceptable if there had been a karaoke.
Never drink on an empty stomach they say, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying.
The next morning, slightly rough around the edges, I got my steps in while watching my middle boy in goal for his football team at Claypotts Park and thought back to how busy Dundee was the night before – and how I really must get out more.
And at that precise moment, I stepped in dog’s mess.
As I looked around, I saw it wasn’t a one-off. There was more ahead.
I cursed the dog owners who don’t clean up. They should get themselves to Baxter Park where I’d been earlier that week and was immaculate in comparison.
“What’s that?” a dad watching the game asked.
I realised I’d been talking to myself, out loud.
And that maybe I really should get out more – albeit minding my step.