Road closed for crane

Works on city hotel force Nethergate closure

ONE of Dundee’s busiest roads will be partially closed over the weekend as work to revitalise an iconic city hotel gets under way.

Nethergate will be shut from West Marketgait to Park Place on Sunday for crane lifting to be carried out at the Queen’s Hotel.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the day-long works, while buses and other vehicles will be diverted via West Marketgait, Hawkhill by-pass and Perth Road.

The crane will be used to install new Best Western signage. The six-storey, 53-bedroom establishment was sold for £2.75m last year, to south-east Asian hotel groups Compass Hospitality and Seacare Hospitality Singapore in a joint venture.

Although business owners accepted the brief closure would cause disruption, there was support for the work.

Peter Menzies, chairman of the West End Community Council, said: “We know these things are a disruption but to see the massive investment in the hotel is great.

“We wish them the very best. It’s such an iconic establishment and so many people in Dundee have got great memories of the hotel — and I’m sure these will be expanded in the future.”

Shafeeq Seale, 33, owner of The Cartocon Store in Nethergate, said: “If it’s still open to pedestrians, then that makes it easier. Last summer the road was closed from May until July, so in terms of how much it will affect us now compared to last summer it is nothing.”

Councillor Fraser Macpherson, who represents the West End, said: “I understand the crane work is necessary and it’s for one day.

“Sensibly, it will take place on a Sunday — when traffic is less busy than it is during the week.”

The hotel is perhaps most famous for its use as a base for former Prime Minister Winston Churchill during his time as an MP in Dundee and has also played host to Frank Sinatra. Ourvoice PAGE 16

A crane will be operating outside the Queen’s Hotel on Sunday.