Dumfries arts hub project in doubt

Nov 13 2009 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

A £2 MILLION flagship regeneration plan has been plunged into jeopardy.

Talks to secure a major part of the “Dumfries: A Capital Project” have collapsed – leaving a question mark over the whole scheme.

The issues centre around the former Moben kitchen showroom in Queensberry Street which was earmarked to become an arts hub under a masterplan being funded by the Scottish Government.

However, the Manchester-based owner of the shop has all but pulled out of the deal meaning a new site has to be found.

Officials from the Chamber of Commerce, who are leading that part of the project, now face a race against time as any cash unspent by March 31 will go back to Edinburgh.

Their president, Gordon Mann, yesterday confirmed a deal on the building was now unlikely.

He told the Standard: “Last week the owner said his personal circumstances meant he was not able to accept the offer.

“The door is not completely closed but he seems unlikely to sell.

“We are determined to carry on with this thing as there are other places that we could do it.

“We will be having a quick evaluation of the other options and are focusing on that now.

“It is a very challenging deadline as it is capital expenditure that lasts until the end of the financial year. We can get this completed before the end of March but it is a tough ask.”

Dumfries received £1.965 million in August from the Scottish Government’s town centre regeneration fund thanks to a joint bid from the Chamber of Commerce and the council. As well as up to £500,000 for the arts hub, money will be spent on the creation of what’s being called a “Gathering Space” at the front of the Midsteeple where events and performances can take place.

The shops at the rear of the steeple are also to be demolished.

Around £450,000 of council funds have been spent on buying the former Bakers Oven outlet on the High Street which is set to be demolished to create a clearer route from Irish Street.

In May, the Scottish Government announced it was opening the bidding for the scheme leaving the council around four or five weeks to prepare their proposals.

Questions are now being asked over the schedules which were set.

Dumfries Councillor Colin Smyth said: “I will be seeking clarification that, if this project fell through, it won’t impact on funding for the other projects.

“The other projects are being led by the council so hopefully the Scottish Government will use some common sense and recognise they are separate and not threaten the funding for whole bid.

“It is already totally crazy that the Scottish Government is forcing people to effectively spend this money by March, a criteria that has already restricted the type of projects that can be invested in.”

South of Scotland SNP MSP Mike Russell yesterday defended the Scottish Government and said he was confident another site could be found.

“I understand that negotiations are still ongoing for the preferred location of the showcase,” he said.

“However, should this one location fall through, the town, thanks to Labour’s recession, is in the unfortunate position of having many other empty shops to choose from.

“I have every confidence that the town centre regeneration team headed by Gordon Mann and Tony Fitzpatrick will deliver an excellent showcase for the region’s many artists and crafts workers on time and on budget.

“It’s a great idea and something the whole town should be getting behind.”

Dumfries Provost Jack Groom yesterday suggested the Chamber of Commerce should look at the former Woolworths or Rankins’ shops at the Burns Statue end of the High Street as a replacement.