Councillors rejected Next's proposals for a Kingsway West store at a heated meeting on Monday.
Business leaders have warned that rejecting plans for a new Next superstore could prove a costly mistake for the city.
The decision to block the retail giant’s bid to expand – and turn down 125 new jobs – has left many disappointed and angry.
Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce has called for Dundee City Council to participate in the creation of a new city-wide retail strategy.
And its chief executive also warned that shoppers would spend money elsewhere if the city’s retail offering is not right.
Senior councillor Ian Borthwick, meanwhile, said Dundee’s jobs market was “in dire straits” and warned families and young people could ill afford to see valuable employment opportunities discarded.
He raised fears that the council’s decision would act as a “disincentive to those considering investing in the city” and backed calls for a new strategy.
Dundee City Council said it was involved in an “ongoing dialogue with retailers, partners and investors about the way forward for the city centre and retailing generally”.
Next is understood to be considering its next step.
For an in-depth examination of the bombshell council decision, see Wednesday’s Courier.
