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Dundee pub boss hoping for Christmas cracker after £600k investment and Covid setbacks

Tommy Fox behind the bar at The Barrelman. Image: Gareth Jennings/DC Thomson.
Tommy Fox behind the bar at The Barrelman. Image: Gareth Jennings/DC Thomson.

The boss of a Dundee pub says the business is thriving after a difficult couple of years, and is looking forward to a busy Christmas period.

Tommy and Jacqueline Fox took over The Barrelman – formerly The Mercantile – in early 2020, and planned an extensive renovation before opening.

However, their plans for the Grade A listed building on Commercial Street were delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Eventually, the pub did open after a significant refurbishment at a cost of more than £600,000.

Work included exposing the brickwork and wooden floors, and adding new furniture and decor with an “understated nautical theme”.

Hopes for a busy Christmas

Tommy said it had been a difficult start to running the business.

He said: “When we opened during the restrictions, we had to work on a very lean model.

“We’ve come out the other side of that really strongly.”

Tommy and Jacqueline Fox.

Mr Fox is also looking forward to a busy festive period for the venue.

The hospitality industry was badly affected by cancellations due to the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid last year.

“There have been a lot of challenges since we began the refurbishment in 2020,” Mr Fox added.

“It’s been quite challenging with the pandemic, but we’ve come out of it well and our trade volumes are growing every month.

“Last year we didn’t have a great time of it at Christmas but we’ve been inundated this year with requests for lunches and party nights.

“That gives us great confidence.”

Dundee pub’s technology award win

Recently, the business won an award for best use of technology at the Scottish Licensed Trade News (SLTN) Awards.

Mr Fox said technology had played a bit part in the success of the business.

The pub operated a traffic light system during Covid restrictions to keep customers safe, while it also introduced mobile ordering.

To deal with the crisis around energy bills, the pub has also been fitted with LED lights and motion detection sensors.

Mr Fox said: “We wanted to improve our customer experience. When we first opened during the restrictions era, we used a traffic light system to make it safe for customers.

The Barrelman in Dundee. Image: The Barrelman.

“To try and keep on top of energy costs, we’d installed LED lights throughout the whole venue and motion detecting sensors so the lights go off when they’re not being used.

“We had mobile ordering where people can order from their table. We were led to that during restrictions.

“Although there’s no requirement for it any more, we found customers like that so it’s something we’ve kept on.”

And he said the pub’s 27-strong workforce was delighted with the recent award win.

“You don’t go out seeking awards,” he added.

“We were up against big names, and we had no expectations of winning, but we were awestruck when we won. We’re really proud of it.”

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