Rosefield Mills
Exploring options for the restoration of the prominent B-listed Rosefield Mills into a vibrant mixed-use civic destination, rooted in heritage and driven by community need
Rosefield Mills is a prominent B-listed former textile mill on the River Nith in Dumfries town centre. Since acquiring the building in 2018, Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT) has been driving forward the sympathetic repair and sustainable re-use of this at-risk iconic building and the wider site. The shared vision is to establish a destination for working, learning, and making that contributes to Dumfries’ economic renewal and celebrates its creative identity.
Photograph: Kerr Martin
Photograph: Kerr Martin
In 2024, DHBT commissioned New Practice to lead a community engagement programme alongside the development of a comprehensive business case for the site’s future.
The engagement programme was designed to create a community-driven roadmap for the development of Rosefield Mills which focused on activity, use and operations. At the end of the process, the engagement outcomes were synthesised, and audited against local/national policy to create a set of guiding principles. The outreach activities built awareness of the building's past and momentum towards its potential future.
An extensive engagement and outreach programme included an online survey; stakeholder workshops with youth participants, local businesses, and creative arts practitioners; a week long indoor public exhibition; an outdoor public exhibition; a photographic competition and an outline plan for a mural commission
Additionally, we developed a brand strategy to establish a strong and professional identity - laying the groundwork for increased community support and fundraising success.
Photograph: Kirsten Bax (winner of Photography Competition, category: Industrial Heritage)
The Business Case set out a robust governance framework and phased implementation plan to guide successful delivery and long-term operation for the new landmark venue. This extensive report covered market analysis, operational and governance models, the financial case, risk assessments, partnership opportunities, case study analysis, impact evaluation tools, and, finally, a clear delivery roadmap.
The phased approach covered three core stages:
Meanwhile Use: Immediate, low-cost interventions to activate the site, test ideas, grow partnerships, and build local support
Capital Redevelopment: securing and enhancing the site through strategic investment in infrastructure, heritage restoration, and accessibility
Long-Term Impact: A focus on sustaining cultural and economic value, positioning the Mills as a regional destination for creativity, learning, and collaboration.
Rosefield Mills offers a transformational opportunity to redefine how heritage can drive forward-looking regeneration. Its regeneration presents an opportunity to deliver bold, locally-led transformation through adaptive reuse, placing heritage at the heart of place-based renewal.
Photograph: Tom Burns (winner of Photography Competition, category: Rosefield Mills)
Client: Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust
Location: Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
Completion: 2025
Collaborators: GRAS (architectural concept), South of Scotland Enterprise