A community council leader has issued an impassioned plea to Dundonians to help save the city’s Perth Road.
Peter Menzies, of the West End Community Council, insists independent stores up and down the bustling street are suffering as a result of members of the public opting to shop elsewhere.
Mr Menzies believes major road works in the area combined with a chronic lack of parking is putting shoppers off visiting the street.
While he concedes these are issues which must be tackled at local government level, Mr Menzies insists ordinary members of the public still hold the key to the street’s success.
Mr Menzies explained: “This is a unique, fantastic area, but the shopkeepers here are suffering.
“The road works do need to be done, that’s accepted.
“But when we went to spoke to local businesses, there was only one who had not been affected, everyone else had been.
“They have all had a tough summer.”
The community council chair is concerned more independent stores across Dundee will be forced to close if people do not frequent them more.
He explained: “It’s the general populace who need to support Perth Road.
“If you want to see a vibrant and successful Perth Road then shop here.
“We’ve already had Eutopia, run by Gordon Phillips, close.
“Gordon had been here for 18 years, but could not see a future — and I don’t blame him.
“When the road works came he said ‘I can’t do this anymore’ and turned the key.”
Mr Menzies continued: “The people need to come back, it’s the general population who need to support the Perth Road.
“None of the independent retailers are doing that well and we have already lost shops.
“People do struggle to get parked because drivers park up and then walk into town, but the bottom line is that we would like people to please come back.”
