retail scheme for Dundeecould create 650 jobs
Developer’s plan offers £75m boost for Tayside
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Plans for a £75million retail development which could create up to 650 jobs on Tayside were unveiled yesterday.
The proposed development would include an Asda super-store, four other retail outlets, office space and a 100-bed hotel.
Developer Macdonald Estates said it would submit the plans to Dundee City Council in the coming months.
The proposals, which also include a 50,000sqft industrial facility, would see a further 250 jobs created during the construction phase.
The development, planned for the Wester Gourdie site on Dundee’s Kingsway, would be funded by Macdonald Estates, Asda and technology company NCR, which currently owns the site.
Macdonald Estates development manager Niall McLean said: “This is a very important mixed-use development opportunity for Dundee at a time when overall investment and development opportunities are limited.”
Mr McLean added: “The existing plant is on a highly-visible and prominent gateway site to Dundee and the scheme is designed to tie into the ambitious future plans that the city has for wider economic growth.”
A public exhibition will be held on the proposals to allow local people an opportunity to view the development plans and give feedback.
Lisa Rooke, Asda’s property communications manager for Scotland, added: “We are extremely excited about our plans to bring a new store to the west of Dundee.
“Our proposals represent a significant investment in the area and will generate up to 480 full and part-time jobs for local people.
“We are keen to work with and listen to the views of the community as the plans progress.”
NCR’s chief procurement officer, Jeff McCroskey, also welcomed the proposals.
He said: “NCR is pleased to be working with Asda and Macdonald Estates on this proposed development which would include an NCR investment in a new 50,000sqft industrial facility.”
The plans were welcomed by politicians in Dundee who said the development would be a “huge boost” for the Tayside capital.
Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “I warmly welcome this £75million investment in my constituency with the considerable number of jobs which it will bring.
“I particularly welcome the 250 construction jobs which this redevelopment will create. This will give a huge boost to the hard-pressed construction sector.”
He added: “With today's announcement we have confirmation that Dundee has ambitious plans for wider economic growth.”
Local councillor Jim Barrie said: “The mixed-use nature of this exciting redevelopment will help to regenerate the west end of the city and spread the benefits across the whole of Dundee, Tayside and Fife.
“The scale of the job opportunities in the retail, hospitality, office and construction sectors from this project will be warmly welcomed across Tayside.”
Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce chief executive Alan Mitchell said the announcement was a great endorsement for the city as a business location.
“Obviously we’re very pleased with this announcement. It is very positive, fantastic news, and it’s great to see such a significant development going there,” he said.
“It shows a commitment to Dundee and Angus, and hopefully the local authority’s planning department will give it the go-ahead as it will be a fantastic endorsement for the area.
“The potential for this area is evidenced by these people that this is still a great business location.”
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