DUMFRIES and Galloway Council has been awarded over £700,000 to carry out restoration work on historic buildings in Dumfries Town Centre.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) yesterday announced new recipients of Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) monies.
The £762,101 granted to the local authority will go toward repairing buildings at 117-119 High Street and 11-17 English Street.
The work begins next month and will be overseen by the council.
Alex Paterson, chief executive of HES, said: “Through CARS, communities are supported and empowered to harness their valuable heritage assets. Decisions are made on a local level and local authorities can prioritise key properties for investment.
“The impact that Covid-19 has had on town and city centres – with more people than ever now working from home and the rise of online shopping due to the closure of shops – shows just how important schemes such as CARS are in revitalising and regenerating our high streets.
“By bringing historic buildings back into use and providing crucial repairs, high streets are transformed, new employment opportunities are created, and tourism is increased, demonstrating the significant effect that our historic environment has on our towns, cities and villages.
“Heritage-led regeneration has proven to have long-term benefits and I look forward to seeing the positive impact that these projects in Dumfries, Dunbar, Helensburgh and Stirling have on the people that live and work in these historic places.”
