Could a new market help to sell city’s delights to tourists?

‘Out of the box thinking’ is needed for Dundee, says councillor

A new city centre market could be one way of making sure Dundee makes the most of its expected tourist boom over the next few years.

That is the view of Dundee City Council’s development convener Lynne Short, who has spoken of her strong desire to see the city centre take full advantage of a hoped-for increase in tourists with the forthcoming V&A Museum opening.

Murraygate is one street Ms Short hopes “out of the box thinking” can breathe fresh life into.

And she thinks a regular city centre market is something that could be introduced.

She explained: “The Murraygate would be an ideal place to hold a market.

“There is the farmers’ market which is held in City Square but this would be a more regular thing.

“The social enterprises I have spoken to would be very keen to work together.”

Ms Short has previously spoken of her desire to regenerate Reform Street with entertainment venues such as comedy clubs and jazz bars.

She added: “We are in a situation where we have to be very aware that from 2018 onwards we will have visitors coming into the train station and then heading to the waterfront.

“We know there is £84 spent a day by tourists in our city but I would rather see three or four days of that £84 being spent.

“Our city centre is no different to any other city centre — it’s a difficult time to be in retail. There aren’t that many successful retail start-ups on the go.

“But on a personal level, as a person from Dundee, I don’t want to see all these amazing buildings (empty retail units) decline.

“I want to see them thrive and the streets around them thriving.

“Big organisations like Jack Wills and Fat Face have moved into St Andrews and Perth and there’s no reason why they should not be here.”

On a personal level, I don’t want to see all these amazing buildings decline. LYNNE SHORT