A WEE LOOK BACK AT DUNDEE - 1960's, 1970's & 1980's.
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Friday, 30 April 2010
THE OVERGATE - 1987
A nice summer shot of the Overgate, taken on 6th July 1987. If you click onto the large version, you may even be able to recognise someone you know in amongst the shoppers! Photo by Neale Elder
To the right of the pic, on the top level and just out of shot (I can't tell from the signs in the pic) was my favourite toy shop of the time. I can't remember its name, but I remember it being massive and stocking all the latest action figures, Star Wars merchandise and so on. I was rarely allowed to go in, though - instead, I was normally dragged kicking and screaming into "What Every Woman Wants" by my gran while she spent 2 hours browsing the coats...
I remember a few shops from around the old overgate, Wullie Low's supermarket was just under the stairs as in the pictures, just around from What Every Woman Wants. There was a Clydesdale Electrical shop on the ground level, not far from that was an independant Hi-Fi shop (can't remember it's name though). Burns & Harris had a stationers shop at one time on the upper level. I seem to remember a shop that sold leather jackets on the ground level too.
I'm just old enough to remember the old Overgate - where Next and 'Sports Soccer' are on the corner was a JJB Sports; there was a Global Video; and a shoe shop as well on the bottom level inbetween JJB and Willie Low's (for some reason I remember it being Tesco - was this after Tesco took over Wm Low I take it?).
I certainly remember What Every Woman Wants, which was dreaded by all working class children in the city.
Can anyone remember the name of the cafe that was across the way from (what was at that time) Argos? Now a Starbucks, if my geography is correct. There also used to be two cafes within Littlewoods (one, across from the backdoor to Boots, which we called the "orange" cafe, because of the plethora of 1980s brown/orange interior fashion!) - I've no idea if either of these cafes are still open.
Downstairs in the tunnel area in the 70's, there used to be a police station. No windows, just a creepy looking door with POLICE on it. Not sure how long it was there but I bet it's where quite a few Overgate shoplifters ended up!
the quality inn / starbucks the kardomah cafe is the name I remember when I used to frequent the place and eat the enormous fudge doughnuts. British Gas showroom where I paid my gas bill at the right of the bottom of the ramp next to the furniture shop that was on two levels that sold lots of G plan stuff.the cop shop horrible little place glad I never went more than once,( they were allowed to beat you in those days! slippery floors etc)
I remember a clothes shop called 'Breeks' on the top level of the Overgate at the back end of it, just past 'What Every Woman Wants' - I think it was actually above Grouchos? It was an outlet of the 'Cavern' chain of shops and stocked Doc Martens, brothel creepers, stovepipe trousers, Harrington jacket copies, etc...I was over from Australia for the Christmas hols in 85/86 and spent a lot of my time and money in that shop!
I used to frequent Flip, which was a large shop selling vintage Americana type clothes, ie old baseball jackets, levis jeans etc.
There was another great shop in the Overgate called Brahms and Lizt, whcih sold all kinds of novelty stuff, little nick nack and gadgets and also had a decent selection of Marvel and DC comics.
These were great shops and despite all the "improvements" there's nothing as good in Dundee today.
Wasnt there some kind of concrete construction on the first floor at the top of the steps? I have vague memories of playing on some kind of concrete thing with circular holes cut out of it when I was younger. Does anyone else remember that or have any photos or am I talking rubbish?
A nice summer shot of the Overgate, taken on 6th July 1987.
Another great street shot, keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeleteTo the right of the pic, on the top level and just out of shot (I can't tell from the signs in the pic) was my favourite toy shop of the time. I can't remember its name, but I remember it being massive and stocking all the latest action figures, Star Wars merchandise and so on. I was rarely allowed to go in, though - instead, I was normally dragged kicking and screaming into "What Every Woman Wants" by my gran while she spent 2 hours browsing the coats...
I remember a few shops from around the old overgate, Wullie Low's supermarket was just under the stairs as in the pictures, just around from What Every Woman Wants. There was a Clydesdale Electrical shop on the ground level, not far from that was an independant Hi-Fi shop (can't remember it's name though). Burns & Harris had a stationers shop at one time on the upper level. I seem to remember a shop that sold leather jackets on the ground level too.
ReplyDeleteI'm just old enough to remember the old Overgate - where Next and 'Sports Soccer' are on the corner was a JJB Sports; there was a Global Video; and a shoe shop as well on the bottom level inbetween JJB and Willie Low's (for some reason I remember it being Tesco - was this after Tesco took over Wm Low I take it?).
ReplyDeleteI certainly remember What Every Woman Wants, which was dreaded by all working class children in the city.
There was also Curtess Shoes - where, in the late Seventies, it was compulsory that you got your Desert Boots from.....
ReplyDeleteThe Hi-Fi shop was Strathvision.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone remember the name of the cafe that was across the way from (what was at that time) Argos? Now a Starbucks, if my geography is correct. There also used to be two cafes within Littlewoods (one, across from the backdoor to Boots, which we called the "orange" cafe, because of the plethora of 1980s brown/orange interior fashion!) - I've no idea if either of these cafes are still open.
ReplyDeleteThe cafe opposite Argos and roughly where the above photo was taken from, was The Quality Inn.
ReplyDeleteThe Littlewoods cafe was called The Amber Lounge.
Downstairs in the tunnel area in the 70's, there used to be a police station. No windows, just a creepy looking door with POLICE on it.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how long it was there but I bet it's where quite a few Overgate shoplifters ended up!
the quality inn / starbucks
ReplyDeletethe kardomah cafe is the name I remember when I used to frequent the place and eat the enormous fudge doughnuts. British Gas showroom where I paid my gas bill at the right of the bottom of the ramp next to the furniture shop that was on two levels that sold lots of G plan stuff.the cop shop horrible little place glad I never went more than once,( they were allowed to beat you in those days! slippery floors etc)
I remember a clothes shop called 'Breeks' on the top level of the Overgate at the back end of it, just past 'What Every Woman Wants' - I think it was actually above Grouchos? It was an outlet of the 'Cavern' chain of shops and stocked Doc Martens, brothel creepers, stovepipe trousers, Harrington jacket copies, etc...I was over from Australia for the Christmas hols in 85/86 and spent a lot of my time and money in that shop!
ReplyDeleteI used to frequent Flip, which was a large shop selling vintage Americana type clothes, ie old baseball jackets, levis jeans etc.
ReplyDeleteThere was another great shop in the Overgate called Brahms and Lizt, whcih sold all kinds of novelty stuff, little nick nack and gadgets and also had a decent selection of Marvel and DC comics.
These were great shops and despite all the "improvements" there's nothing as good in Dundee today.
Wasnt there some kind of concrete construction on the first floor at the top of the steps? I have vague memories of playing on some kind of concrete thing with circular holes cut out of it when I was younger. Does anyone else remember that or have any photos or am I talking rubbish?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - no, you're not imagining it. I have two slides from December 1985, showing the abstract sculpture.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone that remembers Wm Low and worked there, I have set up a Facbook site - join in!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/165812503451287/