REFURBISHMENT work will begin at Lockerbie Old School on Monday, heralding in a new era for the historic building.
The site, which dates from 1875, has been officially handed over to contractors, Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd, and work is due to commence there next week.
On behalf of Lockerbie Old School Community Hub SCIO (LOS), they will redevelop it into a community and enterprise centre.
Members of LOS say they will enjoy watching the Old School take shape and come to life for the benefit of the local area.
The building work is expected to take a year, with the centre hoping to open around the end of 2025/start of 2026.
At that point it will be completely transformed, with a variety of multi-functional communal spaces for hire by local organisations and the community. There will also be serviced office spaces, therapy rooms and chill out areas for business courses, social and community events and activities.
The aim is for an inclusive and accessible space.
Jackie Moffat, chair of LOS, said this week: “It is a triumph for not only our board of voluntary trustees and members, but the community as a whole seeing the project get to this point.
“It has been a long time coming, but we always believed, despite the challenges we have had put in our path, that we would bring the much needed facility to the town and surrounding area.
“The development has been ten years in the making and we could not have got to where we are today without the ongoing support of our major funders, Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Scottish Government, South of Scotland Enterprise and the Holywood Trust. We ask the community to get behind the project.
“We have an AGM coming up in September and if anyone would like to be hands on with the project at this exciting stage, then we are always looking for new keen people to join our team. Together you can help us shape the facility into one that will really benefit the town and its inhabitants.”
A spokesperson for Ashleigh (Scotland) added: “We are delighted to be starting work on The Lockerbie Old School Community Hub project this month in partnership with the charity’s volunteer board.
“We look forward to undertaking this project that aims to revive the Old School, respecting its heritage, while establishing a vibrant community hub for the residents of Lockerbie and the surrounding area.”
Meanwhile, LOS also took ownership recently of the Old Bank of Scotland building on the High Street. After some final remedial work to the inside of the property, their hope is to open this to the public as a temporary community space until the Old School is operational.
n To follow the progress of the build and the charity as a whole, go to www.lockerbieoldschool.org.
