The Mercantile on Dundee’s Commercial Street is to be renamed The Barrelman and is due to reopen next month after a four-year closure as part of a £630,000 refurbishment of the Grade A-listed building by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and new licensees Tommy and Jacqueline Fox (pictured). Work on the project was delayed because of Covid-19.
Said Tommy, “The Mercantile has been a landmark of Dundee for 150 years and we wanted to pay tribute to the city’s history in the pub. A barrelman was the person stationed in a barrel on the foremasts of early oceangoing vessels to help with navigation.
There would have been a barrelman on the RRS Discovery, so the name brings together Dundee’s seafaring past and our vision of exploring new flavours with customers at the pub. It’s had a great response from people we’ve spoken to.”
The inside is having a total makeover too with a contemporary design featuring exposed brickwork, wooden floors and stunning artwork, furniture and fittings. An ‘understated nautical theme’ will complete the look. The project also includes a new kitchen, new toilets and an upstairs private function space seating 80.
Tommy added, “We’ve nearly completed the refurbishment, the building looks completely different. The new full-length windows and removal of part of the mezzanine level have made the inside wonderfully light and airy – it’s going to look fantastic when it’s finished. The building is extremely spacious so will enable us to easily socially distance customers. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve had from local residents and their interest in our plans.
There are around 25 jobs up for grabs including management positions, chefs of all levels, mixologists and front of house team members. Anyone interested to send their CV with a covering letter to jobs@foxtaverns.com.