Dundee barber could be forced to cut his losses as scaffolding leaves business ‘hidden’

A Dundee barber says he could be forced to shut as scaffolding has left his business “hidden” for months.

Steven McCafferty opened Scottish Barbers on Strathmartine Road in the Hilltown October after spending thousands of pounds on the venture.

But he says he has since lost significant custom because of the scaffolding on his building – as customers assume his shop is shut.

Dundee City Council says it put scaffolding up after reports of fallen masonry last year, but has since been unable to get a commitment from the 13 owners involved in the building to get the work completed.

It is now taking action to carry out the work required.

Steven, 37, fears it could be several more months before the scaffolding is taken down.

The Charleston resident said: “To hear there could now be more months of waiting is a nightmare.

‘I thought the business had potential’

“The last time anyone was here working was around November. That was to put foam pads around the base of the scaffolding. That’s literally been it.

“My wife has a dog grooming business on the same street, so I know scaffolding has been here since last February.

“Given we already have a business here, we thought it made sense for me to open up nearby.

“The area is also under massive regeneration so I thought it had potential.”

Steven says he took over the unit in June and carried out work to fit it out.

He said: “We officially opened in October but I’ve not been able to put my signs up or Scottish flags outside the shop.

“When I got the keys in June, I never thought the scaffolding would be up this long.

“People don’t even know we’re open – which is massively frustrating given I’m a new business.

Barber ‘losing hundreds of pounds a month’

“The reality is I’m currently losing hundreds of pounds a month at the moment while trying to make a go of this.

“The shop is quite dark inside because of the scaffolding as well.

“With the scaffolding hiding the business, I’ve placed signs up on the structure out of my own pocket to let people know we’re open.

“I just honestly feel like locking the door and not bothering reopening because of the lack of movement.”

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “After a report of falling masonry, emergency repairs on a dangerous chimney at 65-73 Strathmartine Road, were needed and a scaffold crash deck was erected in the interests of public safety.

“A total of 13 owners are jointly responsible for the repairs and despite some coming forward no overall commitment to the repairs was made and as a result a formal dangerous buildings notice was served.

“The council is now seeking tender prices to undertake the necessary work.”

What is a dangerous buildings notice?

A dangerous buildings notice is enforced to ensure buildings comply with building regulations.

If the local authority is aware of a building that constitutes a danger to the public, it has a duty to act.

The council must carry out such work – including, if necessary, demolition 0 as it considers necessary to prevent access to the dangerous building.

It may then look to recover the costs incurred during the work.