TWO Local Dumfries business women Leah Halliday and Kirsten Rowe are urging people to ‘join in the conversation’ about the future of Dumfries town centre by taking part in their survey.
They want to hear from as many people as they can from right across our region as the results from the survey will shape their plans.
Kirsten and Leah decided to team up and see if their shared vision to bring life back into the town centre could become a reality with the support and involvement of other organisations, community groups and local businesses, working collaboratively to make something positive happen. They hope their ‘Dumfries Makers Market’ campaign will help to breathe new life into Dumfries Town Centre. Bringing people together to work as one for the benefit of the town. They have already had over 600 completed surveys but would love to have more before the deadline on the 11th February.
At a community consultation held at The Stove Network at the end of the January there was standing room only, with over 80 people attending the event. Over 2.8k people have already watched the footage as the meeting was broadcast on Facebook Live, so as many people as possible could take part in the conversation.
Leah and Kirsten shared their joint vision for a collaborative indoor retail space in the town for independent makers, traders, young entrepreneurs, and a monthly or quarterly curated street market, including the very best that the region has to offer. It would include designers, makers, artists, craftsmen, independent businesses and also artisan food and producers, with an emphasis on quality, regional and seasonal produce. They also want to create a feel of a festival but in just one day so hope there would also be music, street theatre, hands on workshops and street art.
They both envisage that an indoor and/or street market of this type would bring locals back to the town centre and many visitors to the area and in turn much needed revenue to the local economy. It would be a welcome addition to the regeneration plans for Dumfries Town Centre. As part of the campaign they have urged they want to work together with existing retailers to the mutual benefit of all.
“This is not just about selling “they said. “It’s also about community, regeneration, social inclusion and showcasing the wealth of talent we have here, not just in Dumfries but in the whole of the region”
Both Kirsten and Leah know that initially they need to find out if this potential project is feasible, sustainable and has the support of the community. They have already have the support of the Council, the Retailers Association, The Stove Network, local media, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and The Peoples Projects.
What happens next depends on what the people of the town want to happen. They want people to take part in the survey, so they can listen to opinions and input from the community to hear how we all can really make a difference to our town.
Please use this survey link https://goo.gl/aC9Jez
