AHF: Supporting community ownership in the historic heart of Dumfries

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has invested £10K towards the regeneration of the Mid-Steeple Quarter project in Dumfries, including allowing use ‘as a community space for local groups, for pop-up events and a re-makery shop.’

image: AHF website

… AHF’s funding in Scotland is typically directed towards early and development stage costs…

… Supporting the community ownership of historic buildings within town centres and on high streets…

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) writes:

The award is made towards initial repair works to two currently redundant C-listed buildings on the High Street, to enable them to be used on a temporary ‘meanwhile’ basis, while fundraising commences to finance the full cost of renovation work.

AHF’s funding in Scotland is typically directed towards early and development stage costs  – on this occasion we were pleased  to be able to provide much needed funding for repair costs thanks to support provided by the William Grant Foundation.

Once open, the buildings will be used as a community space for local groups, for pop-up events and a re-makery shop, which will enable the repair and reuse of everyday items.

Reuse of these historic buildings is part of a much wider plan to create 60 new homes and 50 new commercial spaces (including for 25 business start-ups), in an effort to revitalise the core of this historic town through bringing multiple empty properties into community ownership and back into productive use.

“These two buildings are at the heart of our High Street and have lain empty for over a decade.  The internal fabric has deteriorated significantly during that time due to lack of maintenance. Now that the buildings are in community ownership, we are very pleased that AHF have worked with us to help fund immediate repairs which will enable us to make use of the buildings and bring them back to life.”
Scott Mackay, Midsteeple Quarter Manager

“Supporting the community ownership of historic buildings within town centres and on high streets is something AHF considers a vital part of long-term regeneration strategies in places like Dumfries. The team here have achieved much in a short space of time, and we are very pleased to support them alongside our funding partner the William Grant Foundation.”
Matthew McKeague, Chief Executive, Architectural Heritage Fund

“We’re delighted that our funding partnership with the Architectural Heritage Fund means these buildings can be brought into community use as part of the exciting plans for the Midsteeple Quarter.”
Nick Addington, Chief Executive, William Grant Foundation

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