Bakery chain eyes historic Bruce building

The bakery chain has submitted a planning application to convert the former Blockbuster video rental store in Castle Street into its third premises in the town.
The early 19th century three-storey tenement is the site of the old Greyfriars Church, where Robert the Bruce famously killed The Red Comyn.
And in submitting their plans, Greggs assure that ‘the appearance will not alter significantly’, and say that, ‘the proposed external works will improve the appearance of the building and be more in keeping with the conservation area in general’.
Reacting to the bid, chairman of Dumfries Retailers Association Rab Smith said: “I think it’ll do quite well, because it’s at a bus stop and will probably do really well.
“At the end of the day, the council have just spent £1 million nearly on the Rabbie Burns square, and all the shops have disappeared since they spent it.
“We’ve lost three shops along the line there and lost Edinburgh Woollen Mill, so we really need this.”
He added: “The worry was that it was over provision óand there are too many cafes in Dumfries.
“But better that than an empty building.”