New details have been revealed for the upcoming Dundee street food market

Picture: LJRH Architects

Newly released planning documents from Dundee City Council have revealed fresh details about Dundee’s upcoming Mill Market Food Hall, confirming just how transformative the project will be for Brown Street and the wider city.

The development will reinvent part of a historic jute mill into a lively food, cultural and social destination unlike anything Dundee has had before.

The market will be operated in partnership with food traders

The market will be operated by a close-knit team with a strong connection to the building. Andy Prior, who is known for his work in the care sector, will run the venue alongside his sister.

They will collaborate with Kate and Sam Carter Larg, who currently operate Loom within the same mill complex.

Their combined experience gives the project a grounded, community-focused direction, with a clear understanding of the building’s heritage and potential.

It will feature EIGHT rotating pop-up kitchens

One of the most exciting elements is the creation of eight rotating street food kitchens.

These will change throughout the year, giving different independent businesses the chance to showcase their dishes. This model keeps the venue constantly refreshing, offering new flavours and food experiences every time people visit.

A full high level extraction system will allow traders to cook proper street food using real kitchen equipment rather than the limited setups seen in many smaller units.

This means a diverse, high quality food offering that can evolve seasonally and support local talent.

The development aims to act as an incubator for Dundee’s growing food scene, helping new chefs, bakers and creators build a platform and audience in a permanent, purpose built setting.

It will hold up to 200 people

Mill Market will hold up to 200 people, creating a busy, energetic atmosphere without feeling overwhelming.

It’s designed to function from morning through to the evening, operating from 10am to 10pm with activity spread throughout the day.

The venue will also have the ability to double as a gallery or adaptable social activity space. The team behind it want to give local artists, makers and community organisations a place to host exhibitions, pop up events, workshops and small cultural gatherings.

This multipurpose approach will help embed Mill Market into Dundee’s creative life as well as its food scene.

Located in the historic Pentland Works building, the venue will retain its stone walls, tall ceilings and industrial character, blending Dundee’s heritage with a modern, social purpose.

Dedicated car parking will be available

Parking will be available directly next to the building in the private car park to the north of the site. The spaces will be clearly marked so visitors can easily identify those reserved for the food hall. This makes Mill Market one of the few new city venues with convenient parking right beside the entrance.

Secure cycle storage will be placed at the east entrance, encouraging students, workers and locals to travel by bike. The site is also just a short walk from the city centre and has frequent bus services nearby on Hawkhill, making it accessible by foot and public transport.

The combination of parking, cycle storage and central location strengthens the venue’s potential to attract a steady stream of visitors once open.

It will have a 510 sq metre space

The food hall will occupy 510 square metres of ground floor space within a Category A listed former jute mill.

Externally, the building will remain largely unchanged to preserve its heritage value. The only noticeable addition will be a black finished high level flue positioned discreetly to maintain the mill’s character.

Internally, the space will be fully upgraded to support busy kitchen use, social gatherings and cultural events while still celebrating the building’s identity.

The proposal also ensures noise and odour control through measures such as sound insulation, an acoustic lobby and advanced extraction placement.

Designed to be clean, safe and well managed

A detailed waste plan outlines separate storage for glass, cardboard, plastics, food waste and cooking oil. The bins will be kept in a self contained area, with regular collections ensuring the outdoor spaces remain clean.

Noise and odour assessments have been carried out, with mitigation measures included to protect nearby residents and prevent disruption. Delivery times will be controlled and music levels carefully managed, creating a balance between a lively venue and a respectful neighbour.

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Mill Market brings a long vacant section of a historic building back into active use. Its mix of food, culture and community activity aligns perfectly with the ongoing regeneration of the Blackness area, helping to attract footfall, support small businesses and energise the west end of the city centre.

As construction progresses and traders are confirmed, excitement around the project is expected to grow.

For Dundee, this is not just another venue - it’s a new chapter in how the city reimagines and reinvents its historic spaces for the future.