2022 will be milestone year in transformation of Midsteeple Quarter

The next 12 months will prove another major milestone in the mission to breathe new life into Dumfries town centre.

That’s the prediction of the trailblazing organisation spearheading work to “reclaim the High Street” by bringing a significant part of it into community ownership.

Midsteeple Quarter has already bought five prominent buildings in the area from where its name is taken and is working to bring them back into use - creating new business opportunities and homes.

The past 12 months has seen one of them - 111 High Street - brought back into use, with its first tenants attracting wide interest as they opened in time for Christmas.

And the next year will include the start of the first phase of significant multi-million pound redevelopment work in the area.

Midsteeple Quarter Executive Director Scott Mackay said: “I am pleased to say that we are at an advanced stage in the process which should allow contractors to begin full phase one works on-site in the early part of 2022.

“Over the course of this year, the detailed site assessment and archeological work needed to pave the way for this has taken place. 

“With that complete, we can now move towards full construction work and take another significant step in our plan to create a fairer, stronger, more sustainable and successful High Street. It’s an exciting time.”

Planning permission for Phase One - which will concentrate on the site of 135-139 High Street, formerly known as the Baker’s Oven - was granted in 2020.

It will see the building transformed and extended, creating enterprise space at ground level and part of the first floor as well as seven flats on its upper floors.

The creative enterprise area will include space for pop-up projects, one-off events, long-term units for hire, a retail unit and co-working space. The homes - which will be owned by Midsteeple Quarter Community Benefit Society - will be available to rent at an affordable-to-mid-market rate.

Highlights of 2021 for Midsteeple Quarter have included the crowdfunding appeal which allowed the purchase of 109 and 111 High Street in April. 

A series of pop-up shops and events have also taken place in The Smithy and The Press buildings, including the acclaimed Imprints In Time exhibition, which showcased Dumfries’ proud printing past and legacy.

The year’s work culminated in the opening of creative enterprise Flourish - operated by The Guild Dumfries - at 111 High Street. It has been joined in the building by food photography business Lolliography, which has created a studio in The LOFT on the second floor.

Midsteeple Quarter Executive Director Scott Mackay

Mr Mackay added: “It’s been a remarkable year for Midsteeple Quarter in many ways. So much has been achieved and the reaction to everything done has been overwhelmingly positive - a real springboard for what our community is working so hard to achieve.

“The exciting thing is that this is just the beginning as we put the foundations in place for a better future for our town centre, underpinned by the values of local prosperity and wellbeing.  There is so much to look forward to in 2022.

“We believe that community ownership is the best way of realising the hopes of Dumfries’ residents. We are extremely grateful for all of the support we continue to receive.”

Work by Midsteeple Quarter is attracting widespread national interest for its community ethos.

Its innovative approach in championing the fact that local people have innovative answers for the future was highlighted by South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth in a recent Scottish Parliament debate on the Scotland Loves Local campaign.