People’s Project backed by community leaders from Dumfries

Aug 8 2008 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

DUMFRIES community leaders have thrown their weight behind a project asking Doonhamers to take control of the town’s regeneration.

Loreburn Community Council is calling on anyone who cares about the future of Dumfries to attend their public meeting on Monday night at the Municipal Chambers in Buccleuch Street.

The original agenda is set to be wiped for the meeting with ideas for a People’s Project forming the main theme.

Dumfries businessman Mark Jardine is leading the idea, as revealed in Wednesday’s Standard, in a bid to start a fundraising drive to create a new leisure or entertainment facility in Dumfries.

A cinema or bowling hall have been muted as ideas.

Robin Wishart, chairman of Loreburn Community Council, believes if the public are seen to be taking action, it may “shame” the council into getting involved.

He said: “This is a great idea and we need to see if we can take in further.

“It deserves serious consideration but local people and businesses must get involved and I am sure they are fed up with the talk-talking that you get from the council on these things.

“It needs action and this idea may have the legs to go somewhere.

“This is important not just for the people of Dumfries but for the whole region.

“We can’t just sit and wait for the council to do it for us, we have got to start to take control of our own destiny and maybe it might shame the council into following our lead and supporting what could be a very interesting initiative.

“We are calling all members of the public to come along to our meeting on Monday to support the idea.”

The meeting starts at 7pm.

Mr Jardine, owner of Wm Jardine funeral directors, wants to gauge interest by having people write to him at c/o 3 Crowns Court, Dumfries, DG1 1HU.

Dumfries was dealt a commercial blow recently when much-hyped plans by property developers Centros Miller, who wanted to create a £50m retail scheme, were shelved because of the credit crunch.

However, positive moves have started in the shape of DG One opening.

Any People’s Project would require cash from the public and local businesses with Mr Jardine pledging £1,000 to start it off.