The first major work on a multi-million pound regeneration project for Dumfries is set to get under way.
The Midsteeple Quarter project has awarded the contract to transform The Oven site in the town’s High Street into new homes and business units to Cumbrian company RH Irving Construction.
The community-owned enterprise has spent years raising funds to buy up shops close to the Midsteeple landmark to bring them back into new use.
Peter Kormylo, chairman of Midsteeple Quarter, described it as “a significant milestone in a regeneration scheme which is attracting national interest”.
He said: “We have reached an exciting moment in realising the vision that the people of Dumfries have for Midsteeple Quarter and for transforming our High Street. This is a significant investment in the town’s future and one that we can all be proud of.
“We are grateful for the tremendous support we continue to have from the community, funders, and so many others. We cannot wait for work to begin and are looking forward to working with RH Irving.”
The former Baker’s Oven building was transferred from Dumfries and Galloway Council into community ownership through the Midsteeple Quarter Project in November 2018 and it received planning permission and conservation area consent in August 2020. Last year, detailed site assessment and archaeological work took place preparing it for the phase one construction work which is expected to start within weeks and last 18 months.
The building will be transformed and extended, creating enterprise space at ground level and part of the first floor with space for pop-up projects, one-off events, long-term units for hire, a retail unit and co-working area.
There will also be seven flats on its upper floors which will be owned by Midsteeple Quarter Community Benefit Society and rented out at “an affordable-to-mid-market rate”.
Their appointment follows a competitive tendering process and the finalisation of funding – details of which “will be announced soon” – to make the landmark project possible.
RH Irving, based at Longtown in north Cumbria, works extensively across southern Scotland, with key members of the project team having close links with Dumfries.
Its managing director, Mark Moodycliffe, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as main contractor for the Baker’s Oven project.
“We look forward to working in partnership with Midsteeple Quarter, the project team and other stakeholders to successfully deliver the new homes and creative enterprise areas and having the opportunity to play our part in the regeneration of Dumfries High Street.”
Midsteeple Quarter also owns numbers 109, 111, 113-115 and 117 High Street which, in time, will be brought back into use and also help reshape the face of the town’s High Street.
Future plans are to create 60 homes and 50 commercial spaces in “neighbourhood” within the existing High Street which could house around 200 people.
“The transformation of the former Bakers Oven site will go a long way to demonstrating that, bringing with it jobs, quality homes and a renewed sense of hope into the town.”
