Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Local restaurants we said goodbye to in past 12 months
THE past 12 months put unprecedented pressure on the local hospitality industry due to the coronavirus pandemic, with many restaurants sadly being forced to close permanently.
Communities suffered as most of these businesses had been mainstays of towns and cities for many years, with a number being important local hubs.
While we have witnessed many new businesses sprout up across Tayside and Fife, it’s important to remember the ones we have lost along the way, including the venues we’ve highlighted below.
Having been in Broughty Ferry for 42 years, Gulistan House on Queen Street served its last curry on October 31, due to the owner’s ill health.
Located inside a former church building, the venue was a treasured location for its Indian food, as well as hosting many events, weddings and parties.
A statement at the time said: “It is with a very heavy heart we are announcing the closure of our business. It has been an extremely difficult decision to make which we know will come as a disappointment to many, but one that has had to be taken under very challenging circumstances.
“Due to the chronic and unstable health of our business owner from the beginning of the year, we have sadly taken the tough and difficult decision to close at the end of this week, on Sunday October 31 2021.
“We wish to thank all our customers and staff who have shared our journey.”
Hundreds of customers expressed their shock and sadness, commenting on social media that the closing of the restaurant was “a great loss” to the Ferry and the surrounding community.
Another casualty in Dundee was the Shaheen in the city centre which closed its doors on August 1.
The restaurant could seat 74 customers, with a separate area for takeaways and had been trading for just over a year before the pandemic hit in 2020.
Then, manager Sanat Ghatak said he feared for the business and his fears came true 12 months later when the doors closed for the final time.
After seven decades of service to Arbroath, the Orsi family said goodbye to Peppo’s Harbour Chip Bar also in October.
The Orsis had run the chippy since 1951 and served a range of customers including wrestlers, film stars and comedians.
Brothers and joint owners Frank and John Orsi felt it was time to let Peppo’s go.
Frank commented: “It’s sad that we’re shutting down but you feel it when it’s right, you know inside of yourself that it’s time to shut.
“We were aiming for the 70th anniversary and that’s what we’ve managed to do. We’re going to shut on October 2, exactly 70 years after we opened.”
However, there was a happy end to their story with Arbroathian Garry Smith having since taken ownership of the establishment and reopened it under the name The Harbour Fish and Chips.
Having visited Peppo’s as a boy, Garry saw a new opportunity after facing redundancy from the oil and gas sector.
Due to this being a major career change, he was delighted when John and Frank agreed to help him learn the ropes.
Also closing its doors last year, leaving many locals in shock and sadness, was The Bothy Restaurant, located in Perth’s Kinnoull Street.
Labelled by Scottish Conservative councillor of Perth City Centre Chris Ahern as “another casualty of the pandemic”, The Bothy was shut by parent company G1 in June 2021.
Shortly after the The Bothy closed its doors, another popular Perth venue Cafe Biba announced to its regulars that they would be closing on October 2.
The owners of the cafe, who also operate Pancake Place restaurants in Dundee, Fife and Elgin, decided not the renew the lease on the eatery in King Edward Street.
The statement issued in September thanked the customers for their support over the years, and encouraged them to visit their other venues.
They added: “It has been (mainly!) great fun and we’ve had lots of laughs.”