The grand opening of Frasers department store at Dundee’s Overgate Shopping Centre drew huge crowds over the weekend, injecting fresh energy into the city centre and delivering a major boost for local retail.
Overgate manager Malcolm Angus reported a significant surge in visitor numbers on Saturday alone. Shoppers were queuing from mid-morning at Bank Street car park, with parking demand also spiking at West Marketgait. Early excitement had already been building on Friday, as eager customers lined up to be among the first through the doors.
Frasers remained busy throughout the weekend, with long queues at the tills as visitors explored the 60,000 sq ft space — previously home to Debenhams. The new store combines Frasers, Sports Direct, USC, and Game, creating more than 80 jobs. Inside, the ground floor offers beauty, handbags, menswear, womenswear, footwear, and lingerie; the first floor houses Sports Direct and USC; while the top floor features further Sports Direct departments and a dedicated Game store.
Boost for Local Retail
The store’s arrival has already lifted the fortunes of other Overgate retailers, many of whom reported a clear increase in footfall. According to Angus, the return of a major department store — the first since Debenhams closed — has been met with strong enthusiasm from the public, and sustained growth in visitor numbers is expected as word spreads.
Shoppers surveyed by The Courier praised the store’s broad mix of brands and departments. Angus previously projected that Frasers could help drive millions of additional visits to the centre annually, noting that Debenhams once accounted for around a quarter of Overgate’s footfall — more than two million visits per year.
With its vibrant retail offer and strong opening response, Frasers looks set to be a catalyst for revitalising Dundee’s city centre and supporting the wider local economy in the months ahead.
