Anger as Doghouse closes

THE View have lashed out at Dundee City Council after they closed down one of their favourite music venues.

The legendary Doghouse had to close its doors after the council sent in an accountant in bankruptcy on Tuesday.

The venue, a spiritual home for the Dundonian chart-toppers, was closed down over unpaid bills to the council.

A spokesman from the council said: "Dundee City Council applied for a sequestration order. We went to the Sheriff Court and asked them to sequester the person who is running the Dogshouse because they owed us money.

"The sum is in the region of £10,000 unpaid non-domestic rates."

The View's bassist Kieren Webster criticised the move, saying: "It's really sad and it feels like it's ripped the heart and soul out of the music scene in Dundee. Dundee Council should be doing more to help the music scene, instead they've ripped the heart out of it."

Singer Kyle Falconer said: "The Doghouse was where the manager saw us do our first ever gig."

Kieren added: "We're gutted, it's the end of an era, it'll be sorely missed."

There is a ray of light however.

Punch Taverns, who own the premises, said they hope to re-open the Doghouse in the not too distant future.

A spokesman said: "Our priority is to re-open the Doghouse as soon as feasibly possible.

"It is currently in the hands of the liquidators, so we are not in a position to give a timescale.

"It is a great music venue and we recognise its importance to the local community."

By Bev Lyons and Laura Sutherland, Daily Record 13th March 2009