A majority of Courier readers expect the new V&A Dundee to inject a significant cash boost into the local economy and say they are proud of the attraction.
An online survey created by The Courier sought to shed light on what the £80 million project means to people across Tayside.
More than 400 people took part and almost a quarter said they expect the scale of economic boost to be “transformative” for Dundee.
On a scale of 1 to 5, nearly half of respondents gave the top rating when asked how proud they are of the building and a further 17% gave a rating of 4.
More than 60% said they rated the appearance of the Kengo Kuma-designed building as ‘excellent’.
Although the impression of the opening weekend was largely positive, most respondents were not fully convinced and only 28% chose the highest rating.
The results:
They were also unsure about the exhibitions announced so far, although the most popular rating (29%) was for the second highest level of satisfaction.
Participants said overwhelmingly they plan to visit the centre either monthly (40%) or annually (41%) but more than a third said they would be unwilling to pay the current £6 minimum fee for adults to attend a paid-for exhibit.
A significant majority (71%) rated the V&A team’s efforts to connect with the local community between ‘excellent’ and neutral, while more than half rated the economic boost the museum will give the city in its first five years in the highest two categories.
Overall, respondents were more confident that the V&A will be appealing to people living in Scotland than in the rest of the UK and around the world.
One participant, who travels extensively in the United States, said: “Countless people there have told me that they have heard about V&A and are now considering visiting Dundee as part of trips to Scotland.
Comments
“Obviously great work publicising museum abroad. Made me proud to talk about the buzz in Dundee.”
Another wrote: “I’m a Dundonian living overseas, travelling home to Dundee next month with friends – a massive driver for the trip is the opening of the V&A. I can’t wait to see it!”
Concerns around the cost of the build, disability access, elitism and a desire for the budget to instead to be used to tackle poverty and destitution were all frequently raised.
Others said they were concerned about whether the project would be able to deliver on economic promises or whether it would lead to “derelict former hotels, huge debts and an ugly concrete building we’re desperate to rid ourselves of”.
By far the most commonly mentioned negative aspect of the new museum was the adjacent Site Six development.
Nearly 13% of those who took part in the survey left a comment specifically denouncing the controversial build, with one participant even likening it to “putting hoarding up in front of the Mona Lisa”.
One user wrote: “The building being constructed across from the V&A threatens the impressiveness of the building, the Discovery and the new station.
“Does the council understand anything about tourism and the importance of the building, and how the approach and views lead to a sense of anticipation and excitement for visitors?”
However, another respondent looked to the wider impact of the V&A on the city and its residents.
He said: “I can’t imagine what Dundee would be without it now. Like it or loathe it it has certainly changed everything for the city. I wish it every success.”
