Revived and framed for success: The LOFT becomes home to new studio

Part of a Dumfries town centre building which has suffered decades of neglect has been transformed into a studio for an award-winning photographer.

Lolli Hudson Mackay is one of the first businesspeople to make Midsteeple Quarter her home as the mission to rejuvenate the High Street enters an exciting new phase.

The LOFT - above 111 High Street - is the new base of Lolliography following months of hard work to clean, repair and make the second floor of the building fit for use once again, while retaining its historic character.

The building is owned by Midsteeple Quarter, a community benefit company which owns four other neighbouring buildings and is working to reinvigorate the town centre by bringing them back into use.

Lolli, of New Abbey, specialises in food photography. Her revamp work has included the creation of two shooting bays, as well as food preparation space, a client lounge and exhibition areas.

Her studio sits above Flourish, which was opened by The Guild recently as a shop and community space to showcase the work of independent makers, creatives and producers from across the region.

Lolli, who has exhibited her broader portfolio of photography internationally, said: “I am so excited to be opening in The LOFT.

“It’s wonderful to have a presence on the High Street, especially in a space so connected to the community, in a building which is actually in community ownership within the Midsteeple Quarter.

“There’s so much potential here - with some beautiful natural light at one end. A lot of my clients are members of The Guild, so it’s great that I’ll be able to work so closely with them.”

Award-winning photographer Lolli Hudson Mackay, of Lolliography, in The LOFT at 111 High Street

Midsteeple Quarter is attracting national interest for its work to bring neglected buildings into community ownership, developing a space for living, working, enterprising and creating.

Peter Kormylo, Interim Chair of the Midsteeple Quarter board, said: “It’s fantastic to see Lolli joining The Guild in 111 High Street. They’re a great pairing in that building.

“Our new tenants stand testament to our hopes for the town centre - providing independent businesses with a springboard to success while breathing new life into the area by getting buildings back into use.  This is an important step towards achieving that.”

Lolli has worked as a photographic artist for 20 years, with commissions and exhibitions across the UK and worldwide.

She developed the food photography side of her businesses after being asked to help one local company during the first Covid-19 lockdown last year.

“I really enjoyed that and started working for other companies too. There are so many fantastic food and drink producers in Dumfries and Galloway, so there is strong demand for what I do - and it’s great to be able to help show that produce off to its best,” added Lolli.

The LOFT, which is fitted with high-speed fibre optic broadband, will also be available for hire to other photographers and videographers.

For more details about Lolli’s work, go to www.lolliography.com.