The re-opening of the former Visit Scotland tourist information centre in the Market Hill Car Park in Castle Douglas by Castle Douglas Development Forum (CDDF) has gone from strength to strength. Since the Heart of Galloway Visitor centre opened its doors in May 2018, staff and volunteers have been providing a warm welcome to visitors and locals alike.
The staff and volunteers are extremely knowledgeable about the local area and aim to encourage repeat visits and longer stays to the region by highlighting the wealth of activities available to all. The retail area within the centre has been transformed and supports over 50 arts & craft and food producers from the Dumfries and Galloway region as well as stocking maps, books and guides of the local area. The centre also serves the local community by acting as a hub for advertising local events and tours.
A grant of £3,509 through the Galloway Glens ‘Our heritage’ Small Grants Scheme has allowed a series of improvements to be made to the visitor centre, including a brand new front door which will help the centre welcome even more visitors, increasing energy efficiency, lowering heating costs and reducing their overall carbon footprint.
Sarah-Jane Allsopp, Manager at the Heart of Galloway Visitors Centre, said:
“The visitor centre is truly a community building. It is run by the local community and it provides a warm Galloway welcome to all who visit. By making the improvements to the centre we will be safeguarding its future and encouraging an increase in its use for years to come”
Jude Crooks, Galloway Glens Administrator and lead contact for the Small Grants Scheme, said:
The improvements made, including the new front door, not only provide a modern uplift to the building but support efforts by the visitor centre to reduce their impact on the environment. In this modern age, the Heart of Galloway Visitor Centre shows there is still a need for face-to-face visitor information services. Congratulations to all involved in this project, it has been an absolute hit with visitors to our region.
Galloway Glens Team Leader, McNabb Laurie, added:
The Galloway Glens Scheme, thanks to the efforts of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team and partners including the UNESCO Biosphere, received an award of more than £2.7million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Our 5-year delivery phase is now underway, and this includes the ‘Our Heritage’ small grant scheme with awards being distributed of up to £5,000. Keep an eye on our website for details of future funding rounds.
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