How Dumfries plans to spend £20m of 'levelling up' funds

Plans to restore derelict buildings, celebrate heritage and increase visitor numbers are among projects announced in the first phase of a £20m investment to regenerate Dumfries town centre.

A town board - set up to coordinate the "levelling up" funding announced by the UK government in 2023 - has selected a mix of schemes as part of its Pride of Place programme.

They range from repairing a leaky roof at the Theatre Royal, to community activities at the Loreburn shopping centre.

An empty building on the High Street will be converted into rental flats and a commercial space, while the Big Burns Supper will be renamed the Dumfries and Galloway Carnival - a free three-day festival in January.

Dumfries Town Board said it wanted to deliver "a real and lasting impact across the town".

Chair Kenny Bowie said the work would create more jobs, boost the local economy, and bring more people into the town.

He told BBC Scotland News: "We spent two years consulting, meeting with the public, finding out what Dumfries needs to regenerate and involve more of its communities.

"The launch is the start of bringing that to life through deliverable projects."

Bowie said that they ultimately wanted to bring more people into Dumfries town centre to use its facilities.

He added: "There's more construction, more regeneration, so ultimately that will lead to more jobs. It will also help the economy because everything that we're doing is first and foremost using local people."

Other projects to receive funding include a community workshop to recycle and refurbish bikes, run workshops on bicycle maintenance, and a "repair cafe" to help people fix household items.

The concept of a visitor centre showcasing Dumfries' medieval history will be tested with a pilot project run by the Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust.

And work will be done to capitalise on the town's links with Robert Burns - the poet died in Dumfries in 1796, age 37. The Burns Tourism Partnership wants to transform Dumfries into a leading global destination for fans of the poet.

Other projects which will benefit from funding in year one of the 10-year programme are:

• New digital display boards at Ewart Library showcasing local events and celebrating local heritage.
• Free online training programes through North West Dumfries Community Development Network aimed at developing learners with a "can do" attitude
• Dumfries Business Action to strengthen local businesses, increase footfall and town centre acitivity and improve the visitor experience.
• A Dumfries Digital Town Hub bringing together local news, events and businesses in an app for local people and visitors.
• Friday night youth group at Bouldover Climbing Centre.
• Increase the "occupation and vitality" of High Street properties through the Midsteeple Quarter High Street Regeneration.
• Secure long-term sustainability of Loreburn Hall, attract funding to improve fabric of the building and provide a community event space.
• Communty-led project uncovering untold stories of Dumfries, to be showcased as part of a year-long Pride of Place festival in 2028.
• Improve the riverside space in front of Rosefield Mills and incorporate the site into the Dumfries town centre experience.

People will be able to view their plans, ask questions and share ideas at public drop-in sessions at The Hub in Friars Vennel, Dumfries next Monday from 10:00 - 14:00 and on Thursday from 17:00 to 19:00.