A social enterprise has won a top award for its work to champion creativity and help breathe new life into Dumfries High Street.
The Guild Dumfries was named as winner of the Enterprising Communities category at the Scotland Loves Local Awards.
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the awards recognise and reward remarkable work taking place to improve communities.
Judges in the enterprise category – sponsored by South of Scotland Enterprise – heard how the organisation has created “a new and vibrant retail space, selling high quality, original local products”.
On top of its well-established monthly makers market, The Guild has opened its shop Flourish in a prominent formerly disused building in Dumfries High Street, renting space from Midsteeple Quarter as part of an ambitious town centre regeneration project.
Leah Halliday, one of the directors at The Guild Dumfries, said: “We’re absolutely delighted. This is great news for us.
“We’re looking forward to more projects and more ideas. We celebrate the first birthday of Flourish next week, so this is a lovely end to the first year of one of our main projects.”
Flourish has seen tremendous success in its first 12 months, selling products from more than 50 small creative businesses, mainly from Dumfries and Galloway.
Above the ground floor retail space is a workshop and meetings space where a vibrant programme of activities – from art classes for children and adults to knitting and upcycling skills sessions – take place.
Award winners were announced as part of the Scotland’s Towns Conference which took place at CentreStage in Kilmarnock on November 16 in partnership with East Ayrshire Council.
The Guild has been congratulated on its success by landlords at Midsteeple Quarter which is using community ownership to buy and bring empty and neglected Dumfries High Street buildings back to life.
Executive director Scott Mackay said: “This is a thoroughly well deserved award. Through creativity and commitment, The Guild have brought something special to Dumfries High Street.
“We are delighted to see what a success Flourish is and to have played our part in making it possible.”
“Well done to our finalists, all of those nominated and thank you to our sponsors.”
