Inside 111 High Street: A hub of creativity and enterprise
Midsteeple Quarter’s tenants in 111 High Street have spoken of the tremendous springboard to success that their home has proven.
Both Flourish and Lolliography moved into the prominent - formerly neglected - building in late 2021 and there has been no looking back for either.
Each enterprise has already celebrated awards success, toasting both creativity and entrepreneurialism, while playing a key part in our mission to breathe new life into Dumfries town centre.
Midsteeple Quarter successfully brought 111 High Street - along with neighbouring 109 - into community ownership in March 2021 following a successful Crowdfunder campaign.
For both Flourish and Lolliography, the move into the building, following repair works to it, created their first permanent home in the town centre.
Flourish
Flourish is a superb showcase of local creativity, supporting entrepreneurship and sustainability. Picture: Kirstin McEwan Photography
Flourish is operated by social enterprise The Guild Dumfries, which has a thriving membership of more than 170 businesses and 326 people have signed up as Friends of the Guild to show their support.
The not-for-profit shop and space champions and supports makers, creatives and producers from across Dumfries and Galloway and beyond.
The Guild decided to open a more permanent home following a number of successful pop-ups and markets, which demonstrated the appetite for the unique items that its members sell through them.
Leah Halliday, Flourish’s project manager and creative director, said: “We couldn’t be happier with how things have taken shape since we moved into 111 High Street. We are thrilled to be working with Midsteeple Quarter to create a welcoming, inspiring and creative space and in playing our part in building a better future for Dumfries town centre.
“We have so many projects we are working on and so many ideas that we would like to bring to life. Having Flourish has been a major step forward in helping us achieve so much of that. We are very excited about what lies ahead as we continue to build on our success.”
Sales continue to grow, with particular successes around Christmas and Valentine’s Day among the milestones since opening the doors. Politicians and regeneration leaders have also been impressed as they have been shown around.
Flourish is not, however, simply a shop.
On the first floor of 111, there are workshop, meeting and office spaces in which a range of events - including creative workshops, after-school clubs, exhibitions and talks - are held. These are available for hire and are proving popular.
Leah added: “People have welcomed us as a positive addition to our High Street, which has been fantastic to see. We are proudly supporting and championing our collective, as well as providing a welcoming community space. Anyone in Dumfries should call in and say hello. They can always expect a friendly welcome.”
The success of The Guild and Flourish was celebrated at the 2022 Scotland Loves Local Awards, where they were presented with the Enterprising Communities prize in recognition of their achievements.
As well as operating Flourish, The Guild is also the organisation behind Dumfries’ regular Makers’ Market, which has staged successful events in The Smithy and The Press. You can find out more about that here.
Lolliography
Photographer Laura Hudson-Mackay, of Lolliography. Picture: Kirstin McEwan Photography
Moving upstairs, Lolliography is a food and product photography business run by Laura Hudson-Mackay, Lolli.
She has turned the second floor of 111 into Lolli @ The LOFT, a photography and filming studio, which is also home to her impressive commercial kitchen, used to shoot images for food and drink producers from far and wide.
It has also been used for filming, with impressive results.
Speaking of the impact of her move into the building, Lolli, who has exhibited photography internationally, said: “Being within The Midsteeple Quarter has put me on the map and raised the profile of my small business. The location is so convenient for my clients as it’s right on the High Street.
“I’ve been able to work with restaurants and producers that may not have otherwise heard of me.
“Over the last year, I have continued to win recognition for the quality of my work through the Foodelia International Food Photography Awards, achieving first place in the UK.
“In an exciting collaboration I worked at The LOFT with Chef, Fraser Cameron, from The Globe Inn, which resulted in another four awards!
“Being local and close-by has definitely made working with local businesses much easier and convenient for me and for them.
“It has also been great to have others use The LOFT for their own enterprises, from The Vanives shooting a music video to Clay Works Studio photographing their beautiful pottery products.
“The LOFT is a very special and unique space to work in. Plus, being within MSQ is so worthwhile, as in a small way I am helping support the regeneration of the High Street.”
Thinking of using a pop-up space to showcase your enterprise? Click here to see the spaces we have available in Midsteeple Quarter or email info@midsteeplequarter.org.