The fight for the future of Rosefield Mills in Dumfries
- Published
Rosefield Mills is said to have been designed to look like a Venetian palace
The Rosefield Mills building on the banks of the River Nith still looks striking on a cold winter afternoon.
It was bought - to save it from total dereliction - by Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT) in 2018.
Since then, the group has been working at bringing parts of it back into use while looking at what the long-term future might hold.
After more than five years - and a global pandemic - what stage has the project now reached?
'Last part of the story'
Richard Polley volunteers with the DHBT and said he was in no doubt that the property had been worth saving.
Richard Polley says the gradual approach to upgrading the building is the right one
"I think it's an incredibly beautiful building," he said.
"The design is based on that of a Venetian palace - so I kind of now think of Dumfries as being the Venice of south-west Scotland.
"It's a huge building and was once one of five mills that were along the river in this part of Dumfries and this is now the only remaining part of that story."
He said it was designed to look beautiful on the river front but utilitarian behind that frontage.
It will cost millions of pounds to bring the whole building back into use
"I think it's just so important not to lose that story of the mills in Dumfries that were a significant part of the prosperity of Dumfries and, of course, generated loads of employment here in the town," he said.
"This part of Dumfries would have been a real industrial centre and there's the potential to enliven it and to people it and make it part of the regeneration of Dumfries."
However, he admitted that it would take "several million pounds" to bring it back into full use but said the DHBT had plans for bringing it back into operation a little at a time.
"It's no good having a fancy scheme that costs so much to maintain and to operate - it has to be something that's sustainable," he explained.
Luke Moloney, who chairs the trust, said they had made progress since buying the building, having gained support from a range of organisations.
Luke Moloney said there was a lot of affection in the town - and beyond - for the former mill
A workshop has been brought into use at the back of the building and two new spaces are now open for community or commercial uses.
He accepts, however, that there is much more to be done.
"The building is colossal, I mean, it's 60 yards long and it's 12 yards deep - that's just the building on the river front and it's on two floors," he said.
"We've also got a similar-sized building on a single storey only running towards the back of the site.
"It's a huge amount of floor area and so that suggests a good mix of uses."
One idea is for a restaurant which could "spill out" into the riverside area
He said there were some "wonderful" and "quite wacky" ideas for its use that came out of community sessions and they were now examining the options.
Among them might be an arts or archive centre.
The idea of putting in a restaurant "spilling out onto the river front" is one that could have a key part to play.
"It would populate that space which could be a wonderful public space between the building and the water," he said.
"I think whatever happens that would be a necessary anchor."
The huge building could be home to a cinema screen or an exhibition space
Another option would be the potential for a cinema screen, studios and an exhibition or events space.
"There are lots of really good ideas and lots of interesting thoughts about it, which still need to be developed," said Mr Moloney.
It all, of course, hinges on funding.
"I think we'd all like to think that in 10 years' time this building will be saved and in a mix of exciting uses," he said.
"But in terms of getting to the point where we have the money together and we know exactly what that mix will be I think we're looking optimistically at about a three-year process."
New lighting will illuminate the front of the building and an open day is being held for the public
That would see a full-time development officer and support staff appointed to devote themselves to pulling the scheme together and attracting more support.
In the shorter term, they have two projects taking place.
On Friday evening, a Midwinter Light event will see lights switched on to illuminate the front of the building.
Then, on Saturday, the public is invited to an open day between 11:00 and 15:00 to meet the group and share ideas of how to ensure Rosefield Mills flourishes.
"The river frontage is incredibly beautiful and everyone says we can't lose this, it's such a beautiful building," said Mr Moloney.
"I think there's a lot of affection for the building among the people of Dumfries, but also people who visit the town.
"We haven't given up yet, we're committed to finding a solution."
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- Published7 November 2018
