Wigtown Festival Company (WFC) will be going back to its roots when it moves to a new home within Scotland’s National Book Town at the start of 2025.
But visitors can get a sneak preview straight away as 26 South Main Street will be hosting a pop-up bookshop and gallery during this year’s Wigtown Book Festival, which starts on Friday.
WFC, which runs the annual book festival and other events as well as organising outreach and educational activities across the region, has been renting 11 North Main Street since 2017.
Thanks to support from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) it has now been able to buy the very building, a few hundred metres away, which was where the festival and Book Town launched in the 90s.
The move, which comes at a time when the festival (like most others across the UK) is facing major financial challenges will offer welcome additional security, financial savings, and the chance to create a new events and conference suite.
Anne Barclay, WFC Operations Director, said: “This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the company, and the festival, as we look at how to develop in our second quarter century.
“Number 11 has been a very happy home for us for several years. And now we are delighted to be able to take the next step and have the security and sustainability of a headquarters that belongs to the company.
“This has been made possible thanks to funding from SOSE, as part of its mission to support the economic regeneration of southern Scotland.
“It is also a great legacy for the previous owner, Machars Action, as it means that the property will continue to be used by people who are dedicated to building a thriving future for our area and its people.
“Book Town and the festival started from 26 South Main Street in 1997, so it feels like coming full circle – coming home.”
WFC staff will all be based at Number 26, which will also be the hub for festival ticket sales and the company’s own book and gift shop, from January.
Each year the book festival generates around £4 million for the region and attracts about 8,000 visitors to Wigtown.
Many of those visitors spend time in the bookshops and also make use of cafes, pubs, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation and all the other facilities and attractions in the area.
James Pattison, a Community Development Advisor at SOSE who has worked with Wigtown Festival Company, said: “The Wigtown Book Festival brings many thousands of visitors to our region each year, strengthening the local economy and supporting employment.
“SOSE is proud to support Wigtown Festival Company to find a permanent home where they can continue to grow, and provide unique cultural experiences to the people of the South of Scotland, and beyond.”
Nicole Court, of Machars Action, added: “The Board of Machars Action are so very pleased that, after almost 30 years’ commitment to this wonderful region of South West Scotland, 26 South Main Street will become the new, and very fitting home for the festival company. We wish them every success and thank them for their support.”
