EXCLUSIVE: Dundee pub in line for 6-figure transformation after roof blown off during storm
A Dundee pub is in line for a six-figure transformation after its roof was blown off during a storm.
The Charleston Bar has been closed since sustaining severe damage during Storm Arwen in 2021.
Plans are now being put in place to bring the once-popular Charleston Drive pub – known locally as the Charlie Bar – back to life.
City Centre Pubs Dundee, run by the Marr family, has taken over the bar and hopes to have it open next year, subject to planning approval.
Director Peter Marr Jr has revealed artist's impressions of how the building could look.
He told The Courier: 'We're really looking forward to bringing this community pub back to life.
'Unfortunately, over the last few years, the building has fallen into a state of disrepair following the storm.
'We have some concept designs we're working on before going to planning.
'In the next couple of weeks, the plan is to make the building wind and water-tight for the time being.
'We need to work with architects to finalise our designs and assess the building as a whole.
'By the time we get planning, licensing and a building warrant, it will be next year before we can get to work on it.
'The hope would be to start working on it in January and have it open by the middle of next year.'
Peter added: 'This will be a six-figure investment, creating 15 to 20 jobs.
'We're looking forward to working with the local community and hope the regeneration will benefit the whole area.
'As part of the new design, we're also exploring the potential for multi-purpose use at the site.'
The Courier has taken a look at seven other Dundee pub sites that could be given a new lease of life, including Clancy's Irish Bar, which is owned by the Marrs.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Courier
20 hours ago
- The Courier
John Swinney commits to removing final Rosyth-Dunkirk ferry obstacles
First Minister John Swinney gave a personal commitment to overcome any remaining obstacles to re-establish Scotland's ferry link between Rosyth and Europe. The SNP leader was asked in Holyrood on Thursday to make sure 'bureaucracy' does not prevent the route reopening as early as next year. Green Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell raised the ongoing campaign in parliament, urging Mr Swinney to 'take the lead'. Responding, Mr Swinney said: 'I'm very happy be to involved, although I'm confident the transport secretary will be able to do all on this that I could contribute. 'The government would welcome this and we will do everything we can to remove any obstacles that are in the way.' Mr Ruskell welcomed the answer, telling The Courier he hoped bringing the necessary decision makers together could allow a resolution to be identified. We reported previously that the UK Government's new Brexit reset could provide a simple solution to the outstanding border control issues. Dunfermline and Dollar Labour MP Graeme Downie suggested the agreement would remove the requirement for a border control post – necessary due to Brexit – where animals, plants and food arriving from Europe would be inspected. It was estimated installing such a post could cost up to £3 million. But it is believed a simple change in the law could allow facilities in nearby Grangemouth to be used as a temporary border control post until the full effects of the deal become reality and no post is required. The previous ferry link between Rosyth and Zeebrugge ended seven years ago after a fire onboard a vessel. Businessman Derek Sloan, of Ptarmigan Shipping, is the driving force behind the recent proposals to revive the route – known as Project Brave. He secured an agreement for the route between Fife and Dunkirk, but uncertainty over the remaining obstacles, and funding for the new border control post, meant the plan was put on ice. Mr Sloan welcomed the commitment from the first minister, saying: 'It's good that they've finally made a decision to overcome these barriers. 'It's common sense that if we need to use a border control post while the legislation is changed, why would we spend £4 million on a new facility that will be closed down?' It is understood operator DFDS is looking to restart the route as early as next year if the remaining challenges can be solved.
The Courier
20 hours ago
- The Courier
Stirling school music tuition facing £200k 'back door' cuts despite council promise
Stirling's school instrumental tuition service budget could be slashed by £200,000, despite a recent council pledge to protect its funding until 2027. Music service staff were told that 'efficiency savings' must be made this financial year at an urgent meeting on Tuesday evening (June 3). Some employees on temporary contracts were also informed that their jobs are on the line. The decision from council education officers to make efficiency savings comes just two months after councillors passed a unanimous motion to safeguard funding for several public services, including music tuition, until May 2027 in a rare show of cross-party unity. Music service staff argue that going down the efficiency savings route is a 'back door' move that avoids scrutiny from elected council members. Late last year, council officers proposed saving money by cutting £250,000 from the music tuition service budget for 2025-26. At the time, staff said the move would effectively end the 60-year-old service. The suggestion proved unpopular with members of the public, as well as many councillors. Teachers, pupils and their parents successfully campaigned against the proposal, launching a petition and staging a 'musical protest' outside council headquarters. Now, music service employees say they feel they are being 'punished' for speaking out. One told The Courier: 'Staff were shocked to be told that education officers require £200,000 of efficiency savings from the music service in this financial year. 'It is only two months since councillors voted unanimously to protect instrumental and vocal teaching in Stirling's schools until 2027. 'It appears that these savings are being brought forward behind the backs of councillors who have no knowledge that their own officers are behaving in this manner.' The Courier understands that one member of Stirling's music service staff currently on a temporary contract has been called to a meeting next week where they will be formally given four weeks' notice. Another temporary employee has been advised that their contract may not be renewed later this year. A staff member said: 'The loss of two staff members would have a devastating effect on the music service, as the remaining instrumental teachers are all part-time and their timetables are at capacity. 'Children receiving instrumental lessons at Stirling, Balfron and McLaren High Schools would be abandoned, as there would be nobody to teach them.' Alexander Stewart, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: 'Music has long played a central part in Scottish culture and the removal of this service could have a disastrous effect on these children's life chances. 'Also this situation is certainly not in the spirit of the unanimous motion in support of the music service passed by councillors only two months ago, which I welcomed in Parliament. 'So I have written to Stirling Council's Chief Executive requesting an urgent meeting regarding this awful situation and I shall also put a Parliamentary Question to the First Minister asking what urgent assistance can be put in place to ensure that these pupils are not abandoned.' A spokesperson for teaching union EIS said: 'There has been absolutely no consultation on this planned exercise with the EIS, and so this is an unexpected and unwelcome development. 'Any reduction now, following budget cuts being rejected by councillors earlier this year, and an assurance of the status quo being maintained at a subsequent council meeting until 2027, will be a shock for music tutors, students, parents and carers. 'This is a wholly unacceptable move, which will seriously affect the trust employees have in the authority as their employer, and similarly for pupils and parents.' A Stirling Council spokesperson said: 'All council services continually assess service delivery for improvement and to ensure best value. 'Work to identify service delivery transformation which may achieve savings is underway across services, but no savings are being taken forward in relation to music tuition.'
The Courier
2 days ago
- The Courier
Developer must make Swallow Roundabout 'improvements', SNP transport chief says
The housing firm responsible for controversial changes to Dundee's Swallow Roundabout must follow through with 'improvements' at the junction, Scotland's transport secretary has said. Fiona Hyslop said developer Springfield must follow through on safety expert recommendations after an audit said 'confusing' lane markings could lead to more crashes. Angry Dundonians have also complained about lengthy delays caused by waiting at new traffic lights following the revamp, which was completed in March, though those delays seem to have eased in recent weeks. The changes to the Swallow Roundabout were a planning condition of the new Western Gateway housing development at Dykes of Gray. Ms Hyslop previously defended the upgrades and insisted traffic flows at the junction were being monitored. She turned down an invitation from frustrated councillors asking her to visit the roundabout. Ms Hyslop spoke to The Courier at McDiarmid Park in Perth, where she was attending an event on the dualling of the A9. Speaking to The Courier in Perth, Ms Hyslop said: 'As somebody who regularly travels to Dundee and through Dundee, I'm very familiar with the Swallow Roundabout. 'It's the developers who are responsible. 'They've been given an improvement programme to help address some of the issues. 'We'd expect the developers to do that. 'My strong message is they should listen to the concerns. 'They have advice as to how they can make improvements, and they should take up that advice.' Ms Hyslop was asked by The Courier whether she agreed with the specific complaints of residents. 'I think we'll just leave it at that,' she said, referring to her previous answer. Housing developer Springfield had commissioned the audit carried out by Stewart Paton Associates. The report warned that 'unclear or conflicting' lane markings could lead to driver frustration, sudden changes and stopping, and potentially 'shunt-type collisions'. Currently, markings show arrows pointing ahead in all three lanes approaching the roundabout, but anyone in the outside lane has to turn right onto Riverside Avenue. It was recommended that this is changed but three months on from when the inspection was carried out at the roundabout, the markings remain the same. The chaos which has gripped the roundabout has sparked renewed questions over a Dundee bypass. Upgrades to the A94 between Perth and Forfar have also been floated as one method of cutting down congestion. A Springfield spokesperson said: 'We commissioned third party specialists to design improvements in line with Transport Scotland regulations. 'These designs were reviewed by the relevant authorities before any construction took place, and the roundabout improvements have been built in line with the approved design. 'A safety audit was carried out to determine areas where changes may be required. 'The findings of this audit have been collated in a technical report which is being reviewed by the roundabout designer and Transport Scotland to decide what measures should be taken to address the findings.'
