City lights city nights

DUNDEE could be in line for a £200,000 boost to its city centre, including new banners, lighting and measures to promote the early evening economy.

City Nights and City Lights, part of the City Centre Strategic Investment Plan (CCSIP), aims to light up landmarks and buildings, provide street dressing at a number of locations and incentivise businesses and attractions to provide something beyond their normal opening hours or traditional offers.

Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “When we consulted on the CCSIP people told us that there was a real need to create a vibrant city centre with unique destinations, as well as taking specific action around the evening economy.

“Having included those aspirations in the draft plan these new proposals, developed in consultation with stakeholders, go some way towards making them a reality.”

Stakeholders and businesses in Exchange Street backed a suggestion for a high-level illuminated street sign visible from Shore Terrace and Slessor Gardens to help attract more visitors, as well as improvements to each entrance to the street with the installation of two new bike stand/planter pods.

Further work at Union Street could provide temporary decorations on the wires used for Christmas lights, before more permanent improvements to maximise the benefits of pedestrianisation are completed by a project led by UNESCO Dundee and stakeholders.

New banners in Murraygate/High Street could be introduced in two phases, the first of which will be tartan themed, linking the city centre and acknowledging the Tartan exhibition at V&A Dundee due to start in April. When it is concluded the tartan banners will be refreshed with content to actively promote the city’s cultural attractions.

A programme of works is proposed to investigate and establish lighting projects on key buildings, points of interest and specific street art. External lighting at McManus is already underway as part of this programme.

In the final proposal an early evening economy pilot would run over 13 Thursdays between April and June to create a habit of footfall in the city centre between 5pm and 8pm that would support city centre businesses and cultural attractions.

Funding for the projects would come from City Investment Fund, Scottish Government City Centre Recovery Fund and the City Improvement Fund.

The city development committee meets on Monday (March 6) to discuss the plans.

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