A project offering a sustainable, community focused future for Dumfries’ iconic Loreburn Hall has been unveiled following two years of behind the scenes work by two Dumfries business owners working with potential funders, existing businesses, community groups and Dumfries & Galloway Council.
The Drill Hall Initiative, founded by Sandy Sweetman and Simon Robertson, was set up in 2020 to establish a sustainable future for the then vacant Loreburn Hall.
“DHI’s vision is to offer an affordable and flexible event, art and cultural space to community groups, young people and associated businesses in the Dumfries area to bring long term benefit and preserve a historic asset” said Sandy.
The ambitious project will seek to attract significant investment to create a modern, flexible event space to complement the current provision and fill the gap that exists in the town centre that was left when The Loreburn Hall closed with the opening of DG One.
Guided by a steering group with expertise in large capital projects, community development and cultural place making, the DHI project will engage with the local community to provide key services that meet the needs of a vibrant and inviting town centre.
“Although the Hall was seen to be surplus to requirements, temporary occupations over the past few years have proven there is a need for a Community space that can fulfil a number of temporary and permanent uses’ said Simon. “The Hall is a significant and fondly regarded asset for Dumfries but will require significant investment to make it fit for the demands of the future. Forming the DHI CIC will enable us to unlock funding that the Council would not be able to access”.
The full project brochure can be viewed via www.dhidumfries.org.uk
