It’s disappointing to see chains lost to city surviving elsewhere

YOU know the term “tiger mum”?

It’s used to describe a mother who protects and gets the best for her child, no matter what.

Like a tigress wrestling a slab of fresh meat from a rival animal to feed her cubs, even if it puts her own life in danger. Survival at any cost.

It struck me during a visit to Carlisle that I’m a tiger mum — and the “cub” is Dundee.

There I was by myself the other night with a couple of hours to spare before filming around Cumbria for Homes Under The Hammer the next day.

Off I wandered, admiring the sights, like the city’s beautiful cathedral, when I spotted it — a Pizza Express.

I’m not convinced it’s a wholly sane reaction but I was instantly annoyed because — you guessed it — we don’t have one in Dundee.

Selfishly, it would be great to have the chain close by because they have entertaining kids and providing them with tasty food for a treat down to a tee.

But more — and I know many of you share my “tiger mum-ness” for this city — I believe Dundee should have the best.

An online search informed me that Carlisle has a population of just over 70,000 — HALF that of Dundee.

Where businesses will gauge the location of their stores depending to a large extent on population, they’ve gone for somewhere with many less potential customers than we could offer. Grrrrr!

Like some neurotic “helicopter mother” hovering over her son or daughter making sure their homework is correct, noses wiped and shoes gleaming, I want it all for our beloved Dundee.

It pains me to see a great store like Disney (pictured) recently vacate premises in such a prominent position, leaving a vast empty shop.

Back in Carlisle, off I trundled, appeasing myself with a nice meal in a restaurant, highly rated on a well-known online review site for its food and atmosphere.

It’s as though Carlisle sensed I wanted to take its prized Pizza Express and to teach me a lesson.

For come 5am I was one unwell roaring tiger mum.

Apparently (says everyone after the event) you should never order swordfish in a restaurant. One thing’s for sure — I never will again.