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Economic and Social Benefits


Why is this important?

Despite being an exceptionally beautiful and attractive place, Dumfries and Galloway has amongst the most severe economic and social challenges facing any region in Scotland. It suffers from all the problems associated with rural living: low wages, high living costs, an ageing population and emigration of young people.

The challenges

The Scottish Executive’s Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010 identifies several wards in Dumfries that suffer from levels of poverty and health problems in the worst 20% in Scotland. This is further compounded by the lack of opportunities for people of all ages, whether educational, cultural, social or economic.

The Opportunity

We now have a real opportunity to redress some of the economic and deprivation issues that currently face Dumfries. A transformed Moat Brae will be a place to learn, be creative, socialise, work and have fun. It has the potential to make a significant contribution to the economic regeneration of Dumfries Town Centre.

We Will Contribute:

∗ 31,000 unique visitors a year (45,000 visits per year in total) to the new attraction;
∗ 7 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs created as a result of the construction work and 13 FTE jobs created in the centre itself;
∗ 60-70 new volunteer opportunities through a recruitment and training programme;
∗ a further 19 FTE jobs created indirectly as a result of visitor spend generated and an added value of £1.3m into the local economy;
∗ support to schools: 5,100 primary and secondary schoolchildren who are expected to visit the centre each year as well as placements for local college and university students (5+ per year), postgraduates (2 per year) and researchers generally;
∗ social engagement with a range of normally hard to reach audiences to encourage them to be involved in the future delivery of what happens at Moat Brae;
∗ support for emerging artists through development of art installations and activities;
∗ improved health and wellbeing of children and young people addressed through opportunities for physical play activities;
∗ skills development and training opportunities for adults and young people that lead to greater chances of employment;
∗ support for young people from the areas of significant deprivation across Dumfries and Galloway by helping them attain greater reading and writing skills.