Following a successful Crowdfunder campaign to raise money towards the purchase of three High Street buildings, Midsteeple Quarter are pleased to announce the purchase of 109 and 111 High Street.
“This is a huge step forward for the regeneration of Dumfries High Street, and it is thanks to the generosity of Midsteeple Quarter supporters from all over the world who have helped make this happen. We have exciting plans for these buildings and are working with local businesses and organisations to get the buildings repaired and re-occupied as quickly as we can.”
— Scott Mackay, manager of Midsteeple Quarter
At the start of December, we announced we had been awarded a grant from the Scottish Land Fund to go towards the purchase of two buildings of three potential building acquisitions within the Midsteeple Quarter. However, the grant only went part way towards the purchases and we organised a Crowdfunder at the start of the year to raise the remainder of the money required. The funds are to purchase the buildings, as well as do essential repairs and cover insurance.
The Crowdfunder campaign lasted 4 weeks, with donors from all over the world contributing to help Dumfries buy back its High Street. Doonhamers, Midsteeple Quarter supporters and local businesses voiced their support for Midsteeple Quarter’s ambitious plans to breathe new life onto the High Street, commenting that the “pioneering and inspiring project highlighted what can be achieved when communities come together for a common purpose.”
Due to a significant donation from South of Scotland Enterprise and charity group The Castansa Trust, we were able to reduce their target in the last week of the Crowdfunding campaign by £260,000. Combined with the total amount raised through the Crowdfunder, Midsteeple Quarter has now been able to purchase a further two buildings within the Midsteeple Quarter – 109 and 111 High Street.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported our Crowdfunder – every donation, like, comment and share helped us to make incredible progress in a short period of time and has allowed us to make our ambitious plans for the town centre a reality.”
— Evie Copland, Vice Chair of Midsteeple Quarter Board
In September 2020, we announced the purchase of 113-115 and 117-119 High Street, signifying a step into Phase 2 (site assembly) of our plans for the regeneration of Dumfries High Street. Along with 109 and 111 High Street, Midsteeple Quarter now own 5 buildings on Dumfries High Street and are moving ahead with our plans to transforming these buildings that have been empty and abandoned for several years so they can be part of a prosperous future that will see part of the High Street held in common ownership by local people.
