City Council

Dundee’s air connections soared to new heights this week with the launch of Loganair’s new Heathrow routes.

The City of Discovery’s link with the UK capital’s bustling aviation hub has been restored for the first time in 40 years, bringing game-changing opportunities for inward investment, tourism and onward travel.

The historic milestone was celebrated at a special event at Dundee Airport as Loganair’s new Heathrow to Shetland via Dundee service was greeted by members of Dundee City Council as the inaugural arrival touched down just after 11am.

As announced in April, Loganair – the UK’s largest regional airline - is now offering connections to London Heathrow from Derry, Dundee, Orkney and Shetland in addition to its existing Isle of Man services.

Derry flights switched from London Stansted on Saturday 6^th May, while flights to Dundee left from Heathrow (previously London City) for the first time in 40 years on Tuesday.

The changes have brought the first-ever link between City of Derry Airport and Heathrow, connected Sumburgh and Heathrow for the first time and restored an air link from Heathrow to Dundee last offered a generation ago.

The change from London City on the Shetland via Dundee route means Dundee customers will now be able to book connections to and from Dundee via London Heathrow to 97 destinations in 45 countries, with today’s Shetland-bound arrival also underlining the UK regional connectivity now being offered via the airline.

Loganair Chief Commercial Officer, Luke Lovegrove, said: “Dundee is now plugged in to Heathrow’s connections with the rest of the world thanks to these new routes, offering incredible opportunities for travel, tourism and inward investment into the City and wider Tayside region.

“For the first time in a generation, Dundonians will have the option to use their local airport to fly worldwide or take the short journey to explore Shetland – one of the most remote and unique communities in the UK.

“These routes really take Loganair’s provision of regional connectivity to new heights and it was wonderful to celebrate the moment in a city which means so much to Loganair.”

Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “The London Heathrow service is predicted to provide economic and social benefits to Dundee and the wider city-region, through access to a global hub without the need for passengers to travel to another Scottish airport.

“At the same time, the connectivity to London itself is quick and straightforward and the route is a great way to get to the UK capital for business or leisure travellers coming from Dundee.”

Liz Henderson, Director of Membership and Events at London Chamber of Commerce said: “Sustainable aviation is vital for British business to grow jobs and the economy across the United Kingdom and overseas. Loganair’s new Heathrow routes achieve that by boosting connectivity across key regions in the UK, ranging from traditional business and tourism centres to some of the country’s most remote destinations.”

Lorna Jack, Chair of Dundee Airport Limited (DAL) Board said: “It has been great to be able to join the team here in Dundee today, as they welcomed the first flight from London Heathrow that will be connecting through to Sumburgh.

“We are delighted to support Dundee City Council and Loganair on this new service which is a positive move in terms of air travel to and from the City of Discovery.  Heathrow opens a world of onward connectivity opportunities for the people of Dundee and the wider Tayside area.”

Picture (L-R):  Liz Henderson, Director of Membership and Events at London Chamber of Commerce;  Mark Flynn, Convener of Dundee City Council's City Development Committe;  Loganair Chief Commercial Officer, Luke Lovegrove;  Lorna Jack, Chair of Dundee Airport Limited (DAL) Board  

As Christmas draws closer, Dundonians can look forward to getting into the festive spirit, with the launch of Christmas in Dundee on December 1^st in City Square.

Opened by Lord Provost Bill Campbell, the installation heralds 24 days of free family fun which have been designed to appeal to all age groups.

With a jam-packed calendar which includes live music performances, workshops, and even a visit from Santa Claus on December 22^nd to collect his letters, City Square is set to be a hub of seasonal activity.

Visitors can look forward to the return of Dundee’s favourite winter character Pingoo, alongside the much-loved Dundee Christmas Card and this year will also see a spectacular Heofon Maze take pride of place.

Visitors can challenge their friends to an end of curling, and those looking to finalise their Christmas lists can make the most of the illuminated wishing fountains.

Little ones can enjoy free activities, including a Santa letter writing station, and this year visitors can help spread goodwill at the Social Bite Tree of Kindness by donating gifts to people who are homeless and vulnerable this Christmastime.

The first weekend of activity kicks off with a not to be missed Unicorn Dance Party and Santa Dash, whilst crowds can look forward to flash mobs, appearances from magical nutcrackers, book readings and performances from Shaper Caper during the lead up to Christmas.

Lord Provost Bill Campbell said: "It’s wonderful to see City Square lit up again for Christmas. Between the installations, activities, performances, and workshops planned, there is something for everyone to enjoy, and with so much free fun on offer, I hope that the families of Dundee can make some truly special memories here this festive season."

Young people from across the city and beyond are being encouraged to become Dundee detectives during the school holidays.

Participants will be encouraged to discover an article in the window of a participating city centre business, shop or café that doesn’t fit in there.

Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, who helped launch the competition said: “We want young people to have a bit of fun, a little challenge and at the end a chance to top up their pocket money by winning either a £30, £20 or £10 gift card.

“Clearly though there is a serious point behind this initiative and we want to make coming into the city centre a positive experience for young people that becomes a part of their life going forward.”

The 20 businesses taking part in the inaugural Discover Window Trail competition will display a numbered Sunny Dundee window sticker which will correspond to the row number on the entry form.

Budding detectives have been given a helpful hint that the rogue item may relate to #SunnyDundee, have a historical Dundee connection or be something the city is famous for.

Fully completed forms must be subitted by 5pm on Sunday October 23 to the Overgate Customer Services Desk (upper floor beside New Look) for a chance to win one of the three prizes donated by Dundee Loves Local.

Our picture shows: Eilidh Roberts of Voyager CBD, one of the participating shops, and Cllr Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee.

Dundee's biggest ever celebration of comics set to take over city this summer 
 

Whilst Dundee has long been known as the city of Discovery, this summer it’s set to celebrate its status as the undisputed home of comics with the Dundee Summer (Bash) Streets Festival, which will take place from 14^th-24^th of July.

For the duration of the festival, Dundee will become ‘Beanotown’ as the much-loved characters and stories will take over the streets of the city for an extravaganza of stories. The programme is supported as part of Scotland's Year of Stories 2022, a year-long celebration ehich will spotligt. celebrate,and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, writen or created in Scotland.

Designed to appeal to locals and visitors alike, the packed programme features events, talks, exhibitions, screenings, trails, workshops, and performances across the city centre.

The Dennis and Gnash Dash family fun run will invite participants to dress in red and black in homage to our ‘favourite menace’ and a ‘pop up’ history of comics will tell the rich story of Dundee’s comic creating past and present.

A Blamazing Beanotown Trail Map, specially designed by Beano, will guide festivalgoers around key Dundee places associated with the famous comic characters, and an exhibition inside DC Thomson’s HQ will give visitors a rare chance to see original artwork from one of the world’s most recognisable comics.

Free outdoor performances will take over City Square across both weekends, and a character parade will see participants dress up in their favourite comic book costumes.

In addition to the family-friendly activities on offer, there will be a host of workshops and talks for those interested in behind the scenes of comics. The Comicopolis talk will see Professor Christopher Murray delve into Dundee’s comic heritage and history, whilst LACD libraries will host how to draw comics sessions for 8–14-year-olds. A professional development panel is planned with Creative Scotland and others advising on the business of creating comics, and the UNESCO City of Design Dundee team will host a representation in comics event.

Meanwhile festival partners across the city will be adding to the programme with their own family friendly activities in The McManus and V&A Dundee, and a fun zine event in DCA.

Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “Dundee has a well-deserved reputation for producing comics that have enriched the childhoods of generations of people around the world.

Characters from the stories and their mischievous antics have also inspired many writers and illustrators over the years.

The festival is a welcome addition to our Year of Stories and I looking forward to finding out more about the history of these entertaining comics.”

A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: “We are delighted to be presenting what is going to be a special event for the city and beyond.

“Storytelling is in our blood and being able to share with readers, visitors and local people will be one of the highlights of the summer."

Organisers, Dundee City Council have been working closely with Beano Studios, DC Thomson, and the University of Dundee to look out all the best from the city’s comics archives and create a festival filled with free comics fun. See full PROGRAMME  of events. 

A landmark site on Dundee’s £1billion waterfront has been officially opened.

Waterfront Place, which will include the city’s urban beach, an active travel hub, landscaping and interactive play area was given the official seal of approval by John Alexander, leader of Dundee City Council, at a ceremony on the site adjacent to V&A Dundee.

He said: “This is one of the prime spots on the whole of the waterfront and right from the planning stage it was important that it could be accessed and used by everyone.

“Anyone who comes along will see for themselves the quality of the work, which was in itself a key part of our desire to attract people here, not just from the city but across Scotland, so that they could truly experience the re-established connection between the city and the river.

“Work started in February 2020, and was obviously slightly delayed by the pandemic, but we wanted to officially open the site now, at the height of summer, despite finishing touches still going on in some places.”

Costing just over £6m, the work at Waterfront Place received £1m of funding from the Scottish Government's European Regional Development Fund programme through the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund delivered by Transport Scotland. The fund has a focus on supporting projects which enable everyday functional journeys to be taken by walking, cycling and public transport and to support an increased proportion on ultra-low emission vehicles on Scotland’s roads.

The project was developed by contractors Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure Limited and when complete in the next few weeks will include a stainless-steel whale sculpture designed by award-winning British artist Lee Simmons.

Formed in tubular sections that follow the contours of the creature, the structure will flow from the northern entrance of Waterfront Place with the tail arching towards the Tay to capture a sense of movement.

Visitors to the park will also enjoy a multi-sensory experience using both sound and light with stainless steel tubular like maze structures representing kelp-like forests or water columns.

Cllr Alexander added: “What we will see here by the end of the summer when this project is complete will be tangible evidence of the further progress being made at the waterfront.

“It forms the next step forward in our phased and managed growth at the waterfront and the months and years ahead will see much more to come on the other sites across the area.”

The urban beach opens today (Thursday) and with greater access to the main landscaped area due by the end of the month and the water feature and dunes due in early September the installation of the whale sculpture and opening of the play area will complete the project by the end of next month.

ALL SIX successful art works in Dundee City Council’s Dundee Windows project have been unveiled to the public for the first time Friday 4th.

The covers are off work by Tracey Stewart, Suzanne Scott from Whimsical Lush, Sarah Chacko, Agency of None, Pamela Scott and Macario De Los Rios in vacant windows in the city centre.

Cityscapes, a sound activated display, an augmented reality pattern and a celebration of nine maidens and the dragon are among the commissions to grace the formerly empty spaces.

Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “This is the kind of imaginative and creative project that we are starting to see brighten up otherwise unused or unloved bits of the city, and they are becoming more and more popular and sought out.

“These bold and colourful designs that celebrate local people and places are part of our recovery plan and I am sure that they will draw in visitors and locals alike to the city centre.

“Almost 90 high quality entries were received when we called for submissions, showing that despite the obvious challenges it is facing our cultural sector is as creative and vibrant as ever.”

The windows project is one of a number of schemes to brighten up the city’s main shopping areas and supporting the city’s recovery with posters, window displays, street painting and shop trails.

Dundee City Council has joined forces with retailers and artists on a number of initiatives and in the coming weeks as well as Dundee Windows, Castle Street will be temporarily transformed by a colourful design painted onto the cobbles, leading people up a playful route from Shore Terrace to the High Street  -  download MAP HERE.

As Dundee begins to welcome visitors and residents back to the city centre, retailers and businesses will be selling reusable Sunny Dundee face coverings.

The Sunny Dundee campaign by Dundee - One City, Many Discoveries originally saw thousands of pairs of #SunnyDundee sunglasses given to visitors, locals, and businesses.

Now, a city-wide partnership led by UNESCO City of Design Dundee and supported by Halley Stevensons, local makers, and One City, Many Discoveries has produced a unique Sunny Dundee face covering.

The production of the face coverings has been supported by pre-orders from dozens of city businesses. The face coverings will also be sold to the public for £6.

When a member of the public buys a face covering, they will be contributing to another mask being made. These ‘Pay It Forward’ masks will be distributed for free via local community groups and food banks.

The locally designed and produced face coverings will be available from locations across the city, including Quirky Coo, Dock Street Studios, Maisie & Mac, and Birchwood Café & Emporium.

Dundee Council Leader, John Alexander said: “We want to welcome people back to the the city, but in a safe way.

“Work has already taken place to prepare public areas for increasing numbers of people with signs and distinctive Sunny Dundee signage being deployed to encourage people to queue safely and follow one-way pedestrian flows.

“The Sunny Dundee Sunglasses were a huge hit with residents and visitors alike and I’m sure people will enjoy these Sunny Dundee face coverings.

 “I’m delighted that the design and production has been carried out locally, and I would like to thank Halley Stevensons and Pamela Scott for their help in creating the masks.”

Annie Marrs, UNESCO City of Design Dundee said, ‘We know that getting used to wearing a face covering is challenging for many people. Through this project we wanted to support the city and our communities to make wearing masks a little easier. We also wanted to find a way to support local makers, many of whom have lost income due to the global pandemic. This initiative is a great way of doing both!’

The Sunny Dundee illustration printed on the masks is by Pamela Scott, a Dundee illustrator and printmaker, and gives a nod to the original, hugely popular Sunny Dundee sunglasses.

Halley Stevensons, the world's leading waxed cotton fabric innovators, who partnered on the project not only provided the cotton fabric, but also shared their expertise to get the project off the ground.   

These face coverings support people to adhere to government advice of wearing a cloth face covering when physical distancing is difficult to maintain, and in places where they are mandatory - such as public transport. 

Sunny Dundee face coverings are not approved or regulated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). They are a cloth face covering, made to a 3 fold pattern, with two-layers of quality cotton.  There is no opening to add a filter.

Even in such difficult times as these, Dundee continues to shine.

In the latest in a string of accolades, the city has been named among the Best Places to Live in the UK 2020 by the world-renowned Sunday Times.

It follows the same paper naming Dundee the Best Place to Live in Scotland in 2019.

Published just before the country went into lockdown as a result of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, the report highlights the £1bn waterfront regeneration, which is helping to breathe new life into the city. 

The article also gives a nod to Dundee’s burgeoning design culture - from “the city’s famous gamers (Grand Theft Auto was created in Dundee)” to fashion’s Hayley Scanlan “who has twice won young designer of the year.”

The authors go on the say that they love how Dundee is “forging ahead and forging communities” – strengths which stand the city in good stead during and beyond the current crisis.

The Sunday Times also noted that Dundee had much to offer in the hospitality sector – great bars, restaurants and tourist attractions – before they were forced to close due to the restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the virus.

Visitors and locals alike will look forward to enjoying this vibrant offering once again once the restrictions are lifted.

Leader of Dundee City Council, John Alexander, said: “To have been named one of the best places to live in the UK by the Sunday Times is another tremendous accolade for Dundee.

“Reading this report reminds us just how far Dundee had come before the pandemic, and the strengths we have to build on in the weeks, months and years to come.”

An award-winning young British artist has been chosen to provide the centre-piece of a key space at Dundee Waterfront.

Delivering the next phase of the project will be a fundamental part of the city’s economic recovery plan and the decision to award the contract to Lee Simmons allows detailed design and engineering work to take place.

Construction on the other elements of Waterfront Place will continue when the current restrictions are eased.

Lee Simmons has centred his design proposal on a sculpture in the form of a humpback whale that will act as a beacon within the new interactive play park at Waterfront Place.

His design and cost of £134,750 were judged to provide the best overall quality/price by a panel of experts led by Dundee City Council.

Alan Ross convener of the council’s city development committee said: “Looking at Lee’s proposal, and some of his previous work in London, shows not only what a talented and creative individual he is but also that someone with his track record wanted to be a part of the Waterfront redevelopment, demonstrates the massive buzz that it is creating across the country and beyond.

“This decision allows the more detailed design work to be undertaken so we are ready to get underway without delay, subject of course to the government advising that construction activity is safe.” 

Lee said: “I am delighted to have been offered my first commission in Scotland and excited by the idea of getting started when it’s possible.

“The natural form of a huge mammal created with modern materials in such an amazing setting is perfect for me because I love to bring together architecture, art and design and explore what blurring their boundaries looks and feels like.”

The council invited proposals from potential designers to develop and deliver a unique space within Waterfront Place to bring art, technology and play together to deliver a contemporary destination.

Chosen for the city’s historical connections to whaling, a key element of the play space is an original “sculptural structure” in the form of a whale, and seven innovative and ambitious entries to the design competition were judged on quality and cost.

As part of the selection process, a shortlist of four were invited to present to a panel chaired by Dundee City Council and including representatives of V&A Dundee, Abertay University, St Andrews University and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.

The humpback whale design will be the centrepiece of the space created in a size and scale that complements its surroundings, while accommodating both convincing aesthetic values and visual strength.

Formed in tubular sections that follow the contours of the creature, the structure will flow from the northern entrance of Waterfront Place with the tail arching towards the Tay to capture a sense of movement.

Visitors to the park will also enjoy a multi-sensory experience using both sound and light and exploring the use of an interactive canvas beneath the whale that can respond to users’ three dimensional movements.  

In line with the council’s procedures during the pandemic the contract was approved by the chief executive and executive director of city development in consultation with the committee’s convener, Labour Group Spokesperson, Conservative Group Spokesperson, Liberal Democrat Group Spokesperson, the Independent Member and the Lord Provost.

It will be published under the scheme of delegated powers and reported to the city development committee for information once the council returns to its normal business.

The council and its partners will work closely with the appointed design team to fully develop all workings drawings and design information required for tender purposes and a further tender report will be brought back to the city development committee to approve construction costs for the finalised design.