| Less than a week into the new year, the award-winning Nine Maidens in Laird Street and “Doc Stewart’s”, properly known as The Downfield Hotel in Strathmartine Road, have closed their doors.
Receivers Morris & Young were at the premises today, discussing matters with publican and licensee Malcolm Orr, who confirmed the move to the Tele.
“I can’t say too much just now — the official line is no comment at the moment,” a clearly distraught Mr Orr said.
“The doors are closed though, and I would just like to thank all my customers who have supported me over the years I have been here.”
The two long-established pubs, which have been run by Mr Orr and his staff for several years, are centrepieces of their respective communities.
As recently as September, The Nine Maidens won a landslide victory in the Evening Telegraph-sponsored community pub category of the Dundee Best Bar None Awards, with Tele readers voting in high numbers for the popular establishment.
Less than a week ago, Sheena Thomson, president of the Dundee Licensed Trade Association, predicted a difficult year ahead for the city’s pubs, including the prospect of some going out of business.
She warned, “Coming into January and February, which is generally a quieter time, some may find it very difficult to keep their heads above water.
“I’d say it’s more than possible we’ll lose one or two over the coming year.”
Industry giant Wetherspoon, which runs The Counting House and The Capital in Dundee, recently reflected the effects of the credit crunch by bringing down the cost of a pint of beer to 99p and a bottle of wine to less than a fiver.
A spokesperson for Morris & Young said no one was available for comment at the time of going to press. |
