Annan Harbour development to create jobs and generate millions for economy
There are plans to turn a derelict warehouse into a visitor hub and community facility
Last updated 31st May 2024
It is hoped plans to transform Annan Harbour could generate £18m for the local economy.
The Annan Harbour action group wants to turn a derelict warehouse into a visitor hub and community facility.
Dumfries and Galloway Council is currently working with the Annan Harbour Action Group to iron out planning consents.
Alan Thompson, the action group’s development manager, said: “We’re going to have a heritage exhibition area.
“We’re going to have a café and we’re going to have meeting rooms for the community, a small gig pace and a workshop for our Men’s Shed and other people that want to come in and learn traditional maritime crafts.”
He added: “There will be a number of new jobs.
“As we expand, we will be needing people to work in our visitor attraction.
"We’ll be needing catering staff, cleaners, as well as people to manage the project going forward.”
The development is projected to cost around £15m but there is a £2m shortfall which is causing uncertainty.
“It may be that we have to cut a little bit out of the project.
“We aren’t quite at that stage yet – we’ve probably got another eight or nine months that we can actively fundraise and if we get an opportunity to pick something up along the way we will do.”