Welcome return of Shopmobility

It is excellent to see the launch of a brand new service under The Circle banner which will provide mobility scooters and other mobility to loan on a donation basis at locations around Dundee.

The new venture – The Circle Mobility – will be based at Overgate Shopping Centre and will aim to improve accessibility in the city.

The Circle Mobility will integrate the former Shopmobility service, a mobility hire service which was previously based at the shopping centre. The initial relaunch will focus on the original service to provide Overgate customers with better accessibility to the shopping centre.

It was very disappointing that the former Shopmobility service closed a year ago so it is really great news that The Circle Mobility has launched.

You can read more about this and planned expansion of the service during 2024 at www.thecirclecic.org.uk/were-launching-a-new-service-aimed-at-improving-accessibility-in-dundee

Photopolis : Overgate

The photograph below shows the east end of Dundee’s Overgate, where it merges with the High Street, with the Town House (on the south side of High Street) just visible behind the hanging sign to the right.

 

David McLeod the bootmaker was at No. 41 Overgate, James R Butchart, a basket manufacturer, at No. 37, the smallware merchant Paul Kane at No. 33 and the Dundee Equitable Boot Depot at No. 29, although it is not listed in the Dundee Directory.

 

No. 23 was Robert Methven, a spirit dealer. The clocks are possibly part of a display by Herbert J. Cohen the jeweller’s display (at The Golden Locket) at No. 15, and the Foreign and British Emporium was nextdoor to J. & J. Fleming’s jeweller’s shop.

Photopolis : Scott’s Close

The Dundee Directory for 1895-96 lists two streets in the city called Scott’s Close. One is given at No. 97 Overgate, and the No. 6 Hawkhill.   It is impossible to say categorically which this – see below – is.

 

This photograph shows an alleyway between two tenement blocks, with a gaslight attached to the left-hand side.   The image is important, because shortly afterwards the buildings were demolished.

Promising future for the Overgate Centre

Following a constituent contacting me stating, “I was a bit concerned to read that WH Smith is pulling out of the Overgate.   I note that Gap has already gone.   I’m not sure what shops will be moving in,” I have been in correspondence with the Centre Manager about planned developments at the Overgate Centre.

 

He has given me positive feedback as follows :

 

“We are aware from a customer’s perspective Overgate has lost a few retailers over the last 6 months or so but I can assure your constituents we are working hard behind the scenes to ensure Overgate remains a prime regional shopping destination.

 

Our current client purchased the Overgate in April 2014 when the centre was approaching 15 years old and a lot of retailers were coming to the natural end of their leases. Since April we have secured the following retailers on long term leases to ensure business continuity within Overgate:

 

•         Sports Direct

•         River Island

•         H&M

•         Virgin Media

•         Ernest Jones

•         Next

 

As you can imagine in the current financial climate the retail business is somewhat ‘fickle’ with High Street / Shopping Centre Retailers struggling against online shopping but … the following will be happening within Overgate within the forthcoming months:

 

•         Ex GAP Unit – Under Offer from Fashion Retailer

•         Starbucks extension

•         Kiosk opposite Superdrug – new retailer opening soon

•         Lower Mall we have two empty units – those units are under offer for reconfiguring and currently sit with the Landlord for approval

•         Ex La Senza Units – offer accepted and shopfitting plans have been approved

•         Ex First Sport Unit – under offer from national leisure operator, we are currently undergoing our due diligence and feasibility studies

•         WH Smith – they are due to close 10th June.  We then need to carry out any repairs / redecoration but we currently have two offers on this unit being returned to its original shell i.e. two units, upstairs / downstairs.

 

Since the landlord took possession of the centre we have brought in:

 

•         MAC

•         Yankee Scotland

 

Hopefully the above will restore some confidence within your West End Ward and should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me direct.”

 

The Overgate Centre is a vital part of Dundee’s shopping offer, not just for Dundee residents, but for the wider region, so it is reassuring that positive developments at the Overgate Centre are taking place.

Photopolis : Scott’s Close

The Dundee Directory for 1895-96 lists two streets in the city called Scott’s Close. One is given at No. 97 Overgate, and the No. 6 Hawkhill.   It is impossible to say categorically which this is.

 

This photograph shows an alleyway between two tenement blocks, with a gaslight attached to the left-hand side.   The image is important, because shortly afterwards the buildings were demolished.

Last couple of days …

Photos from the last couple of days!

Was up in Inverness with the ‘day job’ on Friday – a lovely, warm and sunny day – although rather rainy on the way home!     Here’s me pictured outside the Eden Court Theatre, where the meeting I attended took place.

Helen, Janet & I spent Saturday afternoon helping the MS Society’s Dundee Branch with their fundraising and awareness stall in the Overgate Centre.   A thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile day and great to see the interest from and generosity of the Dundee public.

A busy afternoon!

Dundee Museum of Transport event

Earlier today, I had the pleasure of taking part in the official opening of Dundee Museum of Transport‘s very informative and impressive exhibition trailer.

Taking place beside the Old Steeple near to the Overgate Shopping Centre, in addition to vintage vehicles on display, there was a real carnival atmosphere, including a pipe band.

The Museum of Transport project is moving forward positively and today’s event was well-attended and a great way to promote this very worthwhile initiative.

Here’s a couple of photographs from the event:

One of the classic vehicles

Children’s activities

Old Dundee Street Names

Mid Kirk Style and Tally Street disappeared from active use as street names many years ago (although I am sure I can remember a “Mid Kirk Style” sign hanging in the old Overgate Centre back in the 70s and 80s!) – they were in the bit of my former Tay Bridges Ward that did not find its way into the West End Ward at the last boundary review.

 

This photograph above shows the east end of Mid Kirk Style, Dundee, looking into the north end of Tally Street, which ran north to south and left to right from the Overgate to the Nethergate. The photo belongs to the City Council’s Photopolis collection, which is fascinating and can be accessed by going to http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/photodb/main.htm.

 

I actually mention the matter of Mid Kirk Style and Tally Street because it will crop up at next Monday’s City Council Planning & Transport Committee, the council committee I chair. The proposal is to give these historic streets back their position on official council lists – the City Council’s news release on the matter (below) explains more :

 

A pair of historic Dundee street names could re-appear on the city’s official lists after an absence of more than 40 years.

 

Mid Kirk Style and Tally Street disappeared from the map in the 1960s to make way for the first clearance and redevelopment of the Overgate.

 

Now, as the street register is computerised and updated, councillors will be asked to give both streets back their position on official council lists.

 

Convener of the planning and transport committee, Fraser Macpherson said: “Despite the Overgate being redeveloped twice now since the original warren of lanes, closes and styles made way for a shopping centre, Mid Kirk Style and Tally Street are actually still there, albeit slightly realigned.

 

“So there is no reason why they should not be on the official street register, nor why we shouldn’t erect signs either side of the City Churches to mark the site of these lanes in the heart of our city.”

 

The planning and transport committee will decide if it will agree to reinstate the street names to retain the links with a part of Dundee’s history on Monday (January 12).