Several Tayside and Fife businesses have closed their doors this year after being hit by tough trading conditions.
Rising cost of supplies, energy and wages has made it difficult for firms at a time when households are watching their spending.
Here’s a round-up of the businesses in Dundee, Perth, Angus and Fife that have announced their closure since the turn of the year.
Bearpig Cafe
Financial insecurity, rising costs and fewer customers were among the reasons behind the closure of the Arbroath cafe in July.
Owner Oleg Ermurati said trade has been decreasing every month since March as the cost of living crisis impacts people’s ability to spend.
Bearpig had been in the Angus town for five years.
Big Dog Books
The owner of the comic book store that had shops in Perth and Dundee was “devastated” to announce their closures.
Stuart Kane, owner of Big Dog Books, said his business “slipped through the cracks” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 39-year-old said he fought desperately to keep his two shops afloat but felt non-hospitality businesses were not given enough support.
Bistua
Spanish restaurant Bistua closed after it said diners were put off by works at nearby Perth City Hall.
But fencing, a noisy generator and building works opposite the entrance to South St John’s Place restaurant put potential customers off.
Owner Ciro Sito said he was left with little option but to close.
“Everything is being done in front of my door,” he said.
“There is a railing in front of the restaurant and a generator three metres from my door. People were leaving because of the noise.”
Blasta
The owners admitted they chose “the worst time in history to open a business” after being forced to close both their restaurant and takeaway.
The family opened their first restaurant in Stanley just over two years ago after owner David Barnett was furloughed as an executive chef at the five star Fonab Castle Hotel.
After a tough couple of months with strict Covid restrictions, the family decided to open a second premises – a takeaway – just down the road, with the hopes of serving more customers.
But the last few months have proved financially difficult forcing them to close both venues in the summer to avoid bankruptcy.
Braisby Roofing
The family-run roofing firm in Fife closed after almost 60 years in business.
Its owners said the company was severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
William Braisby, grandson of the company’s founder, said at the time: “We have explored every option to continue trading.
“Regretfully, spiralling costs and shortage of materials coupled with unsustainable cashflow problems have led us to apply for voluntary liquidation.”
Cafe Sicilia
The owners of Dundee restaurant Cafe Sicilia announced its sudden closure in September after 11 years in the city.
Owners Teresa Russo and Bernadeta Finnigan took over the restaurant on Dundee’s Perth Road in 2011, building a strong reputation for “homely” Sicilian food.
The duo said they were “sad” to have made the decision to close for good.
They said: “It’s been an amazing rollercoaster, thank to all of you, our amazing customers and friends.
“We always felt so lucky to have you in our daily life and to call some of you friends – we are like a big family.”
The Caird
The popular Dundee restaurant has announced its closure in October, blaming increasing running costs and the current financial crisis.
The Nethergate venue, a B-listed building, was bought by Dundee businessman Jimmy Marr in 2017.
Mr Marr said huge rises in energy bills are largely to blame.
The publican said his gas and electricity costs for The Caird – a former jute baron’s mansion – are set to double to about £12,000.
Cheese on Coast
Owner Craig Nisbet sold the popular street food van in March to pursue a new career.
Mr Nisbet launched the business while on furlough in 2020 and said it had “been a blast” when he announced its closure.
Dawnfresh
Seafood producer Dawnfresh employed nearly 250 people at its site in Arbroath.
It owned the historic brand RR Spink, which has operated from Arbroath since 1715.
However, the business entered administration in March.
But a deal with Lossie Seafoods Ltd, a subsidiary of Associated Seafoods Limited, meant the Angus jobs were saved.
The Dining Room
The owners of the Kirkcaldy restaurant said they were forced to close his business just a year after reopening due to the financial impact of Covid-19 restrictions and rising costs.
Married couple Andrew Lowrie and Barry Dudley took over The Dining Room in July last year.
However, the York Place establishment shut its doors in October.
Energie Fitness Dundee
The Dundee gym was forced to shut after the franchise racked up “large debts” due to Covid-19 closures.
A spokesman for Energie Group Scotland said: “The club incurred large debts to the landlord due to Covid closures.
“While the club has been growing well, unfortunately they were unable to meet the landlord’s repayment requirements.”
The Filling Station
A fall in sales of more than 50% prompted the closure of the Perthshire refill business in July.
Owner June Wallace said in April the store was coping with the cost of living crisis.
However just three months later and amid a sharp decline in sales, she was forced to close the business.
“People want to go to a one-stop shop,” she said.
“You’re not going to drive out here to my shop, drive to the butcher, then the baker.”
Grand Italia
The Perth city centre restaurant was put up for sale after it shut suddenly in the summer.
It had been run by Mario Diana and his wife for more than a decade.
No reason was given for the closure of the restaurant. The Courier was unable to reach its owners for comment.
The Harvest Mouse tearoom
The tearoom within Fife Folk Museum shut suddenly due to “unforeseen circumstances” in July.
The family-run café was nominated for Best Cafe 2022 by Scotland’s Business Awards in the Fife retail category.
It was set up by Kate Gill, her mum Tracy and brother Liam in November 2020 and a post on social media illustrated their pride in the business.
“I may be totally biased but I think we smashed it,” it read.
Ivory Whites Bridesmaids
The Perth dress boutique closed earlier this year after more than a decade in the city.
The shop started as a bridal boutique, but since early 2020 specialises in bridesmaids outfits.
Owner Karyn McLeod said the pandemic led to a “significant reduction” in appointments.
Customers, who said they were “gutted” at the shop’s closure, queued round the block as a closing down sale saw £300 dresses sold for £30.
Jessie’s Kitchen
Broughty Ferry cafe Jessie’s Kitchen informed customers on June 30 by social media that it would not reopen.
In a statement released when the closure was announced owner Ross Turriff said he was “gutted to say goodbye”.
A total of 23 staff lost jobs.
It later emerged the business, which also comprised a farm shop and garden centre, had “significant” debts.
JM Car Sales
Jackson Mathieson Car Sales Limited, based in Inveralmond Industrial Estate, shut its doors unexpectedly this summer.
Customers visiting the premises, which traded under the name JM Car Sales, were met with locked doors and a largely empty forecourt.
Keep It Local
A Dundee clothing shop selling local brands is closing just one year after opening.
Keep it Local opened in November 2021 on Albert Street in Stobswell.
Ross Kelly launched the store with Steve Grant as a place to sell their own brands – Grumpy Gorilla and Our Culture – and others based in and around the city.
After a successful few months, Ross says customer numbers declined – leading to brands pulling their stock.
It will close in November.
Little Feet
The shoe shop had been a feature of Carnoustie town centre for nearly a decade until it closed this summer.
The business, run by Elaine McLauchlan, provided a range of children’s shoes.
Ms McLauchlan said a “change in career direction” was behind her decision to shut the High Street shop.
Lee’s Keys
A family’s relationship with the Keiller Centre in Dundee came to an end after 43 years this summer.
Owner Lee Caswell said he was “gutted” to have pulled the shutter down for the final time.
The 50-year-old – who also runs another shop on Douglas Street – says he has been contemplating closing for the last year.
He said: “We’ve been here since day one. I was absolutely gutted on the last day of trading.
Lochlands Bowling Club
The historic Arbroath bowling club folded after 200 years amid dwindling membership numbers.
The club was where Commonwealth Games gold medallist Darren Burnett is said to have first learned his craft.
Club president Kevin Proctor said he was “heartbroken” as he confirmed the club could no longer keep going.
He said the impact of Covid-19 had played its part.
Luggy’s
The Dundee takeaway with a cult following for “wacky” build-your-own combinations shut in August.
The owners of Luggy’s say the cost of running the business means it is becoming too difficult to turn a profit.
Owners Bryan Duncan and Sara Biggs have decided to pull the plug on Luggy’s, which opened in 2019, because they would be soon forced to hike prices significantly.
The former offshore oil worker believes many would be unwilling to pay and predicts the business would struggle to survive.
Madigan’s
Rising living costs, pandemic struggles and various road works pushed owner Wendy Scullin to close Madigan’s Tea Room in Dundee after a decade in business.
Wendy ran the Castle Street venue with her mum Audrey, but announced on Facebook that June would be their last month of trade.
The decision to close was, she said, a long time coming.
“There were a lot of considerations we had to make but the cost of living crisis has hit us quite hard.
“We had just managed to make it through the pandemic and then prices including electricity and everything else kept going up.
“But footfall not going up has been a major factor in us deciding to close the doors after 10 years.”
McGill
The Dundee construction business collapsed into administration for the second time in four years in August.
Dozens of workers were made redundant.
Graeme Carling, the owner of McGill, described his disappointment at the firm’s collapse.
“It is hugely disappointing that McGill finds itself in this position again, three and a half years after we acquired it out of administration,” he said.
McTaggart’s
The family-run cafe closed after nearly a decade in Aberdour after struggling to recruit staff.
Owner John McTaggart, who ran the business with his wife Lis, said: “It was a dream of my wife’s to run a food establishment. It’s affecting her more than me.”
The business is popular with locals who have continued to support the High Street café during the pandemic and this year’s cost of living crisis.
But staffing issues meant the owners reluctantly put the business up for sale.
Mhor Coffee
The café on Perth’s Kinnoull Street was one of four businesses in the city to fold within the same July weekend.
Co-founder Tricia Fox said it became impossible to keep the business running.
“Costs are rising and the footfall is not coming back to the city centre,” she said.
Minick Butchers
The sudden closure of several butcher shops across Fife shocked staff.
In June, The Courier revealed all of the Minick of St Andrews shops were either to close or transfer to new owners.
Butcher Stuart Minick established the chain in 2010 and it grew to 10 shops across Fife and Tayside as well as a processing facility at Abernethy.
Moncreiffe Care Home
A total of 37 jobs were lost when Moncreiffe Care Home in Bridge of Earn care home closed in May.
Businessman John Bryden has blamed a “perfect storm” for the closure of the care home established by his late mother Helen in 1985.
He said the departure of an experienced manager, staffing challenges and the prospect of soaring energy bills on the back of the pandemic have prompted the move.
Nicolls Steakhouse
The owner of the Perth restaurant said Brexit and Covid-related staff shortages left him with no other choice than to close.
Colin Nicoll, owner of Nicoll’s Steakhouse, said in October that his business will be closed for the “foreseeable future” until he can attract more workers.
The Princes Street restaurant was best known for its 60oz steak challenges.
Colin, who also owns butcher shops in Perth and Stirling, sometimes found himself working from 4am to 10pm.because of staff shortages
Oliver Bonas
Clothes chain Oliver Bonas closed its Perth store for the final time in November.
The High Street shop opened in the Fair City in 2017.
However, it became the latest to close as shoppers expressed their sadness at the high street’s decline
The chain has a number of stores across the UK which remain open – including one in St Andrews.
Pitcrocknie restaurant and café
The Perthshire restaurant shut said the business was “unable to survive” rising costs, according to its owners Scott and Donna Macdonald.
They said they were “stuck between a rock and a hard place” due to the price hikes required to claw back what was lost during the pandemic and a drop in customer numbers.
The Alyth restaurant had been open six years before its closure in May.
It later emerged Mr Macdonald had lost his £200,000 pension in the venture.
The Popular
The family-run fish and chip restaurant was established 35 years ago in Dundee, but closed in the summer.
The owners of The Popular in the city centre, run by three generations of the same family, say the decision was taken as the business is no longer profitable.
The family said at the time of closing that record inflation has left costs unaffordable while the cost of living crisis has forced customers away.
Raeburn Construction
The major family-run Fife construction group went into liquidation in December, with 58 jobs lost.
The Kirkcaldy-based firm was founded by Scott and Sarah Raeburn in 2006.
A winding-up order stated the firm is unable to pay its debts, believed to be in excess of £1 million.
Mr Raeburn said he was “devastated” and added rises in material costs and labour were behind the demise of the business.
Replenish Auchterarder
The business was set up by Elizabeth Brodie in February 2021, but was closed little over a year later.
Elizabeth wanted to set up an alternative to plastic packaging for people in Auchterarder and established a network of Scottish suppliers.
However, rising costs forced her to close the doors in March.
Roost Restaurant
Owners Anna and Tim Dover closed the doors to The Roost Restaurant and Grill in Bridge of Earn.
The popular Perthshire favourite was featured as a recommended business in the Michelin guide.
It won multiple accolades, including AA rosettes for their a la carte menu which focuses on British fine dining.
The couple put the venue on the market three years ago for £450,000, which included the the premises, as well as the three-bedroom house the family currently live in next door.
But in November they decided to focus their attention on new career paths and spending more time with their children.
Shopmobility
The Dundee charity set up to make city centre shopping easier for disabled people closed after more than quarter of a century.
Shopmobility, based at the Overgate Centre, closed its doors for the last time just before Christmas after 28 years in operation.
The scheme loaned out mobility scooters and wheelchairs to anyone with limited mobility, making it possible for them to get around Dundee city centre.
However, demand has dropped dramatically, leading charity bosses to decide it was no longer viable to continue operating.
Social Good Connect
The Dundee-based platform that connected workers to volunteering opportunities and was helping 300 charities closed in December.
Social Good Connect launched shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic hit, when many workers were furloughed.
Founder and chief executive Caroline McKenna confirmed it has closed and will be liquidated. Nine employees lost jobs.
She said a lack of funding proved fatal.
Ms McKenna said: “As a social enterprise our organisation relies on both trading and funding.
“That has been difficult to secure over the last few months because of the continuing effects of Covid, cost of living and associated financial challenges.”
Stuart’s Bakers and Butchers
Family-run firm Stuart’s Bakers and Butchers closed four of its Fife branches in June.
Managing director Keith Stuart, the sixth generation to run the business, said it was a difficult decision.
The four branches to close were in Kirkcaldy, Methil, Cupar and Glenrothes.
Tayprint
More than 20 jobs were lost when family-run printing business Tayprint went into liquidation in August.
Based at West Gourdie Industrial Estate, Tayprint specialised in wide format and garment printing.
The company has seen its sector declining in recent years.
The firm’s financial difficulties have been made worse by the impact of the pandemic.
Underneath the Arches
The Perth vintage shop had been in the Fair City for nearly a decade.
However, in late July it shut its Princes Street store for the final time.
The business was not closing altogether though, with a move to Fife on the cards.
Women’s Business Station
Dundee social enterprise Women’s Business Station has been forced to end its operations after losing funding.
The group was set up to support women on their business journey and offered support, workshops and training.
In November, founder and chief executive Angie De Vos said it was tough to close the doors for good
She said to the impact of the pandemic, rising energy prices and soaring inflation, which has meant funding for charities and third sector organisations has been squeezed.
269 Vegan
Perth’s first vegan café, which opened in 2018, shut for the final time in late July.
The owners said they were embarking on a new chapter for the business after a “rollercoaster” four years in Perth.
Its Dunfermline café remains open.
3000 RPM
Computer shop 3000 RPM, which was part of Dundee’s West Port for 18 years, shut its doors in October.
A member of staff within the Brown Street centre suggested high rent prices was behind the West Port shop’s closure.
The computer repair centre in Brown Street and the company’s online operation are still trading.
If you know of any businesses across Tayside and Fife that are closing or have already shut, we’d like to hear from you. Email business@thecourier.co.uk,
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