NEW plans to turn the Loreburn Hall into a modern, flexible event space were unveiled this week.
The plans were created by The Drill Initiative (DHI), founded by local businessmen Sandy Sweetman and Simon Robertson in 2020 to establish a sustainable future for the then vacant Loreburn Hall.
The ambitious project will seek to attract significant investment to create a modern, flexible event space to complement the current provision and fill the gap that exists in the town centre that was left when The Loreburn Hall closed following the opening of DG One.
The hall has since become the home of the Big Burns Supper, which according to Simon has proven the need for a community venue in the centre of Dumfries. He said: “Although the Hall was seen to be surplus to requirements, temporary occupations over the past few years have proven there is a need for a community space that can fulfil a number of temporary and permanent uses.
“The Hall is a significant and fondly regarded asset for Dumfries but will require significant investment to make it fit for the demands of the future. Forming the DHI CIC will enable us to unlock funding that the council would not be able to access.”
Guided by a steering group with expertise in large capital projects, community development and cultural place making, the DHI project will engage with the local community to provide key services that meet the needs of a vibrant and inviting town centre.
The full project brochure can be viewed via www.dhidumfries.org.uk
