A SCOTTISH Government minister has marked the official start of work on the first phase of a major redevelopment at Midsteeple Quarter in Dumfries.
Planning and Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur visited the town centre regeneration project yesterday (Monday) as he announced £3.4m of support from Holyrood towards the £7.2m transformation of the former Baker’s Oven.
The disused site at 135-139 High Street is being turned into new homes and business units.
A significant milestone in the work by the community-owned enterprise Midsteeple Quarter to buy vacant buildings and bring them back into use.
Years of campaigning and fundraising by townsfolk to bring the former Baker’s Oven and four other buildings into community ownership has enabled the project to reach this point.
The funding package supporting the first major phase of work is made up of:
• Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) – £3,460,000.
• South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) – £2,199,852.
• Dumfries and Galloway Council (via the Place Based Investment Programme) – £916,889.
• Holywood Trust – £350,000.
• Dumfries High Street Limited (trading as Midsteeple Quarter) – £300,000.
Representatives of the funders met with the Minister, members of Midsteeple Quarter, and project and construction contractors as the financial package was confirmed.
Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur MSP said: “I welcome this project to bring vacant buildings at Midsteeple Quarter back into use as housing and other sustainable solutions.
“It is already helping people to live well locally.
“Innovative projects like this demonstrate the powerful role communities can have in helping transform their town centres and neighbourhoods by investing in their future.
“As part of our National Strategy for Economic Transformation, the Scottish Government will do all it can to support projects that help create the fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland we all want to see.”
The other project funders have also spoken of their delight at work getting underway, with the scheme expected to take about 18 months to complete.
South of Scotland Enterprise Chair Professor Russel Griggs said: “This is another huge milestone for Midsteeple Quarter and the transformation of Dumfries town centre.
“The project has reached this stage thanks to the hard work of the Midsteeple Quarter team, the input of the Dumfries public and support of public, private and third sector organisations.
Midsteeple Quarter Chair, Peter Kormylo added: “We are incredibly proud of the progress that the people of Dumfries have made to get us to this stage and extremely grateful to everyone supporting us financially for the faith they are showing in helping turn the ambitions of townsfolk into a reality.
“It is an important moment for the town to see work get underway.
“But there is a great deal more that we hope to achieve as we pursue the vision that residents have for Midsteeple Quarter.
“A lot of eyes are upon us as we demonstrate how community ownership can deliver a stronger, fairer, more sustainable future.”
RH Irving Construction was selected to carry out the phase one works following a competitive tendering process.
The project is being managed by construction project management specialists Nixon.
Planning permission for the transformation of the former 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.
