Plans to bring Dundee pub The Charleston Bar back into use have been given the green light, with a major refurbishment now set to get under way after City Centre Pubs Dundee, run by the Marr family, secured planning approval to redevelop the site.
The pub on Charleston Drive, and known locally as the Charlie Bar, has been closed since 2021 after sustaining severe damage during Storm Arwen, which left the building derelict after its roof was blown off. The approved scheme will see a six-figure investment in the site. However part of the existing building will be converted into a convenience store, while the remaining pub will undergo a full refurbishment, including the addition of a new beer garden.
Jimmy Marr told DRAM, “I am delighted to be bringing the pub back into use after years of uncertainty. “I owned it in 2002 and sold it in 2008, then it went to a London investor about 10 years ago,” he said.
“Four years ago the roof blew off and it became derelict and when I got the chance to buy it back six months ago I took the opportunity.” “It’s in a big housing estate and it’s far too big as a pub now, so we’re reconfiguring it. The bar and lounge will be redeveloped into a convenience store, and what was the function suite will become the Charlie Bar.
“We’ve got planning consent and the building warrant, and the licence has been sorted too, so we will start in the new year. We are also now looking for an operator to run the store.”
Marr added that Dundee City Council had been supportive of the plans. “The council were quite keen to see something developed on the site as were the local community.” The refurbished pub will be run by Marr’s son-in-law Gerry Mooney, with support from other family members including son Peter.
Marr said. “I still like doing new projects and the development side but I leave them the running of the pubs to my son-in-law.”
Marr has also recently bought The Westport Bar on West Lindsay Street, which had been owned by an Irish investment company, and has plans for that venue as well. “I seem to be buying back all the pubs I used to own,” he said. “There are around 1,450 student beds planned within 500 yards of the front door, which is what attracted us to this particular pub.”