ANDREW BATCHELOR: Why do we write new Dundee businesses off before they’ve even opened?

Many had claimed Frasers would only last three months, it’s still here over a year on and has helped the Overgate have its greatest year in its history (Picture: Supplied)

It’s been great to see so many excited about some of Dundee’s newest businesses – but why do some people always write businesses off before they’ve even opened?

I thought I’d write this after reading through the comments on the post about the world foods restaurant that is set to transform the former Arnold Clark showroom.

Thankfully, the overwhelming majority of comments have been really positive. People are excited to see another empty building brought back into use, they’re looking forward to trying somewhere new, and they’re pleased to see investment coming into Dundee.

But there always seems to be a small group of people who immediately predict failure.

“It won’t last three months.”

“It’ll be shut within a year.”

“We don’t need another food place.”

It’s become such a familiar response that you can almost predict the comments before they’re even posted.

What I don’t understand is this. We’re living through a cost of living crisis. Running a business has never been more expensive, and opening a brand-new venture takes an enormous amount of courage, commitment and financial risk. Yet before the doors have even opened, some people are already hoping - or expecting - it to fail.

Surely the better attitude is to wish them every success.

Another comment I keep seeing is that “the only thing Dundee gets is food places.”

That simply isn’t true.

Over the past year alone we’ve welcomed new retailers, leisure businesses, fitness facilities, specialist shops, entertainment venues and service businesses. Yes, we’ve also had new cafés and restaurants - because people enjoy eating out, and successful food businesses create jobs, attract visitors and bring life back to vacant premises.

When an empty unit sits vacant, people complain.

When someone invests their own money to fill that empty unit, people complain.

It’s difficult to know what would actually make some people satisfied.

We’ve seen this before.

People said Frasers wouldn’t last.

People said Mango wouldn’t last.

People said Wendy’s would be gone within months.

Yet they’re all still here, and the Overgate has enjoyed some of the strongest years in its history.

Of course, not every business succeeds. That’s the reality of retail and hospitality in every town and city across the UK. But writing businesses off before they’ve even welcomed their first customer helps nobody.

Every new business represents investment, employment opportunities and another reason for people to spend time in Dundee. Even if one venture doesn’t succeed, someone was willing to take a chance on the city.

That deserves encouragement, not pessimism.

So here’s my challenge.

Instead of predicting failure, why not give new businesses a chance? Visit them if they appeal to you. Recommend them if you enjoy them. Share them with friends. A thriving city isn’t built by assuming everything will fail - it’s built by supporting the people willing to invest in it.

Dundee isn’t perfect. No city is. I’ve always made that crystal clear from the get go.

But every occupied shop, restaurant, attraction or business is surely better than another empty building.

Sometimes, a little optimism goes a long way.