Midsteeple Quarter’s The Standard wins at SURF Awards
A flagship regeneration project was hailed as the next step in the renaissance of Dumfries town centre as it lifted a major national award.
Midsteeple Quarter has transformed a site which was formerly a derelict blight on the High Street into an attractive new mixed development of housing, enterprise and community space.
The creation of The Standard was awarded with the Housing and Regeneration prize at the SURF (Scottish Regeneration Forum) Awards, which celebrate the achievements of initiatives which address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland.
Midsteeple Quarter is a community benefit society owned by - and working for - the people of Dumfries. It owns six buildings on the High Street.
The Standard, which includes seven flats for mid-market rent, is its first major phase of construction as part of a community-led vision to breathe new life into the town centre.
Midsteeple Quarter Executive Director Tim Cowen and Mike Staples, Chief Executive of South of Scotland Community Housing (SOSCH), collected the award from Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes at the ceremony in Glasgow on Thursday evening (December 4).
As part of the award, Midsteeple Quarter will have an opportunity to share the lessons it has learned so far - including the opportunities and challenges of community-led town centre regeneration - with other organisations next year.
Tim Cowen said: “The SURF awards is a tremendous recognition of all the hard work that has gone to date into revitalising Midsteeple Quarter, and the many challenges we have had to overcome to get this far. We are proud to have won such an accolade and look forward to sharing our learning with other communities in 2026.”
In reaching their decision, SURF Awards judges said: “The Standard heralds the next step in the renaissance of Dumfries town centre and is already the catalyst for other regeneration activity in and around the Midsteeple Quarter.
“The judges were extremely impressed by the integration of new dwellings within, and behind, the rejuvenated listed building on Dumfries’ High Street.
“The carefully-composed design skilfully reinforces the historic townscape, combining new buildings with restored heritage assets to deliver the initial phase of an ambitious mixed-use masterplan.
The new homes at The Standard have been developed in partnership with SOSCH, which has been working with Midsteeple Quarter since 2017 to bring about “a unique town centre, community-led housing solution in Dumfries”.
Mike Staples said: “It has been amazing to see this vision come to fruition in the shape of The Standard, asset-locking the homes in community ownership for allocation to individuals contributing to town centre life and vitality.
“SURF's recognition of the quality of the development is a tremendous accolade, and testament to the fact this is a transferable model for the ownership and renewal of vacant and derelict town centre buildings, both for future phases of MSQ, but in other locations across Scotland. Congratulations to all involved in the project."
Tim Cowen, centre, and Mike Staples, fourth left, with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and the other SURF Awards winners
The SURF Awards are delivered each year by SURF, a regeneration forum with over 300 cross-sector member organisations across Scotland, in partnership for 22 years with the Scottish Government.
SURF’s panel of 20 independent judges are drawn from national regeneration bodies and community groups.
Kate Forbes said: “The SURF Awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of communities leading the way in regeneration. The shortlisted projects show how local action can drive meaningful change - socially, economically, and physically - while also embracing sustainability and innovation at their core.
“Regeneration is not just about improving places; it’s about supporting the conditions for resilient communities to thrive in the face of evolving challenges and address local priorities on their own terms. It is right that we celebrate and learn from this year’s shortlisted projects.”
SURF says the winning projects all demonstrate the value of a long-term approach to regeneration, with dedicated partners working strategically and inclusively to develop comprehensive plans and deliver real and sustainable benefits for all.
Brian MacDonald, Chair of SURF, said: “Over 27 years, the SURF Awards have consistently attracted entrants of the highest quality, this year’s finalists are no exception. I have regularly been humbled by the range of talent and commitment, and in many cases the sheer doggedness, shown by individuals and groups in their endeavours to improve their communities. The Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate their success, a success that Scotland can justifiably be proud of.”
