Voting has opened to name a revamped and soon-to-be-reborn building on Dumfries High Street – and townsfolk are being urged to have their say.
Midsteeple Quarter is redeveloping the former Baker’s Oven at 135-139 High Street into new flats and enterprise spaces.
The project – the first of its kind in the town centre in living memory – is due for completion in the early summer.
The site is being renamed to reflect the hope it represents for a rebirth of the High Street, driven by community ambition, determination and support.
You can click here to select your favourite of three shortlisted names which reflect our hopes for the future of our High Street (or to suggest another):
- The Standard (reflecting the site’s history as the former home of the Dumfries & Galloway Standard newspaper)
- The Rise (reflecting the building’s history as a bakery)
- Gaitherin’ Place (reflecting the strength of the community in Dumfries)
- There is an option to suggest another name
Voting closes on Wednesday, January 31.
Midsteeple Quarter’s board – made up of volunteer directors who represent the organisation’s membership – will make a final decision.
The new name will be announced at a celebration event at the site on February 22 when a new artwork created with local school pupils will be unveiled.
Kathryn Hill, Midsteeple Quarter’s Community Engagement Activator, said: “There’s a real buzz – and hope – surrounding what we’re going to achieve by creating these new homes and enterprise spaces.
“The people of Dumfries own this site through our community benefit society. And their ambition is clear: This should be the beginning of a bright new era for our town centre, while celebrating our proud past. Our board wants to ensure that is reflected in the name of this special new building, which will be like nothing else we have locally.
“Please, have a say in that by casting your vote.”
135-139 High Street in Dumfries
Views expressed by the public via the vote will be considered by the board of Midsteeple Quarter in reaching its decision over the name.
The collective decision of the board will be final.
All votes must be cast by midnight on January 31.
Midsteeple Quarter Community Benefit Society also owns 51 Bank Street, 109 High Street, 111 High Street, The Smithy and The Press.
The work taking place at 135-139 High Street is the organisation’s first major phase of construction as part of a long-term vision to transform all of the buildings in the community’s ownership to create a vibrant new neighbourhood in Dumfries town centre where people live, work and visit.
