Beleaguered high streets across the UK could be turning to Dumfries for answers to the way forward.
The regeneration of the town’s Midsteeple Quarter has captured the attention of Matt Vickers, MP for Stockton South and chairman of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on the Future of Retail.
He came to Dumfries to see for himself if it could hold the key to saving UK’s struggling high streets which are in a crisis with the current economy and Covid-forced closures.
Midsteeple Quarter is the first community-owned redevelopment project in the UK and its multimillion-pound regeneration and diversification project for the centre of Dumfries is turning a neglected group of buildings into a mix of homes, business and community spaces.
The minister was given a tour by Scott Mackay, executive director of the community benefit society Midsteeple Quarter, which is leading the project, and were joined by Nick Plumb of Power to Change and board member of the UK Government’s High Streets Task Force.
Both wanted a vital insight into how high streets across the UK could – like Dumfries’ aim – successfully diversify away from a retail-dominated model towards to a more sustainable, community led approach.
Mr Mackay said: “We are extremely proud of the story we are developing here in Dumfries, putting community ownership at the heart of a better future.
“We are delighted to have shared this with Power to Change and Matt Vickers. We hope that the lessons we are learning here can prove helpful for other communities across the country.
“There are many strategic issues which need to be addressed at a national level. But, at the grassroots, it’s the community which has the energy to drive the solutions needed to make towns better, as we are demonstrating.”
During the visit, Mr Plum said: “The regeneration of Midsteeple Quarter is an inspiration. It demonstrates how community access to and ownership of high street buildings can have a powerful impact – tackling vacancy rates and revitalising town centres.
“This community-led high street brings diversity and distinctiveness to Dumfries, which drives footfall to the town centre. With the right support, this is something that can be replicated right across the UK.”
The visit follows the launch of Take Back the High Street: Why now is the time for a High Street Buyout Fund, a report from Power to Change outlining that high streets have reached a tipping point, with record vacancies.
Power to Change is calling for a new £350 million High Street Buyout Fund that will help local communities secure property and support a transition away from the failing retail-dominated high street to new, diversified high streets that put community in the driving seat.
According to reports, community-owned spaces contribute £220m to the UK economy, and 56p of every £1 they spend stays in the local economy, compared with just 40p for large private sector firms.
