There’s more to the city than V&A, says campaigner

The man behind a petition calling for the protection of a well-loved Dundee building has warned that the city needs to look beyond the V&A Museum.

Phil Doig’s online plea for the security of the city’s 56 Barrack Street building – the former home of furniture firm Robertson’s for 130 years – has so far gained almost 700 signatures.

A pre-planning application notice, lodged by Structured House Group (SHG), proposes to knock down part or all of the building and replace it with student halls of residence, a restaurant and a cafe.

Mr Doig, 41, said: “There’s far too much hope being placed on the V&A.

“If the waterfront development is just the V&A and that is all then people will jump on the train, see it and go home. “It’s not just about one building.” A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “The building, which is in private ownership, is category B listed and is also in the City Centre Conservation Area, both of which afford it a degree of protection.

“If and when a planning application is submitted to the council it will be given careful consideration.”

“It’s not just about one building