Bid to bring new lounge bar to site of former club

A DUNDEE pub tycoon is hoping to open a bar in an area of the city where the last one closed nearly four years ago.

Jimmy Marr of City Centre Pubs (Dundee) Limited has submitted a planning application to convert the Luxuria Tanning salon in Whitfield into a licensed lounge bar.

The company owns part of the Lothian Crescent site once occupied by Whitfield Labour Club.

The club closed down about four years ago and has since become the home of the tanning salon, two hot food takeaways and a Spar convenience store.

In a planning statement included with the application, architect Peter Inglis said the Whitfield community would greatly benefit from t he addition of licensed premises, which are currently in short supply.

He said: “Positioned at the western end of Whitfield, and quite distant from The Crescent centre, the existing building is ideally placed to serve the local community which does not have licensed premises at present, the nearest being The Powrie Bar which is some distance away in Fintry.

“The existing building has a substantial car park, although it is anticipated that the majority of people would walk to the lounge bar or use public transport.

“There is a bus stop directly opposite the site entrance and all of these factors contribute to a sustainable transport solution.”

Mr Inglis added that the application met local guidelines preventing licensed premises from being located too close to housing.

However, George Roberts, chairman of Whitfield Development Group, said there hadn’t been a thirst for new licensed premises since the Labour Club shut its doors.

“The club was there for a number of years but since it closed we haven’t heard anyone demanding that there are any licensed premises in its place,” he said.

“The Spar store next door already sells alcohol and the Fairfield Sports and Social Club is just down the road.

“With both of those, I don’t think it would be reasonable to open another licensed premises.

“There’s still a consultation going on about the provision of licensed premises and our group hasn’t discussed it yet. We will have to wait and see what happens.”