Debate Over Dumfries’ Derelict Interfloor Factory: Demolition or Redevelopment?

A significant discussion has emerged regarding the future of a large abandoned factory located on the periphery of Dumfries. The former Interfloor premises was recently deemed without an owner, potentially resulting in its transfer to local authorities or another public organization. Subsequently, the challenging decision of its utilization would need to be addressed. Readers of the BBC News website have submitted their opinions concerning the future of the location, which historically manufactured items such as cars, aircraft, and wellington boots. Sandra Fairbairn, who was employed at the factory for 33 years, recounted buses transporting workers from Sanquhar, Annan, and Lockerbie to the premises. She described the atmosphere as a “big family all working together”. She stated, “I don’t want to see it demolished but it could surely be used as a small museum to its history and something for people to do like a bowling alley”. Her ultimate wish, she expressed, was for it to become “something useful for the community, as it was for many years”. Lorne Taylor, a resident of Peebles, acknowledged the building’s potentially “interesting history” but characterized it as an “absolute eyesore”, advocating for its demolition. He commented, “We do not live in the area but always pass the building on frequent visits to Dumfries”. He added, “As it is located on one of the main routes into Dumfries, it does little to attract visitors – or indeed investors – in its current state”. His concluding remark was, “We live in eternal hope it will be knocked down”. Coral Moyes, hailing from Dumfries and Galloway, views the structure as an “amazing building with a fabulous heritage”. She expressed, “I would love to see it renovated”. She continued, “Too many of our historic buildings are demolished to make way for housing”. Her aspiration was, “I would love to see it become, for example, the National Motor Museum of Scotland, building upon its Arrol-Johnston beginnings”. Audrey Wells did not concur with this perspective. She stated, “There is no doubt in my mind this should be demolished”. She described it as “the biggest eyesore for people coming into the town from the north”. Furthermore, she warned, “It is dangerous and is an accident waiting to happen”. Her mother was employed at the factory as a secretary from the late 1950s until the 1990s. She concluded, “I have fond memories of those days when it was a bustling factory but it’s time to let it go”. Alison Mann reiterated this sentiment. She remarked, “What a terrible shame that it can’t be restored but unfortunately it appears that it’s deteriorated too much to be a viable proposition”. She suggested, “I think that the only way forward is to demolish the building, making way for affordable housing and maybe at least a board put up with the history of the building and the achievements of the factory workers”. Alison Bell, a resident of Dumfries, supports preserving the structure. She asserted, “The building must not be knocked down”. She argued, “That would be a lazy decision that ignores the current carbon/climate-change crisis and the amazing historical and architectural legacy”. She proposed that it could serve “multiple purposes”, such as apartments, workspaces, or an industrial museum. Carole Johnston-Parr, from Moffat, similarly held the opinion that the building ought to be retained. She envisioned it as “lovely light-filled apartments” or recommended examining the former Littlewoods building in Liverpool, which is currently being converted into a film studio with performance space. However, Sheila Brown, also from Dumfries, described the site as a “dump” and advocated for its complete demolition. She commented, “Visitors must be horrified at the state of it”. Her proposal was, “Clear the site and build more homes which are badly needed”. Jim Kirkpatrick, a fellow Doonhamer, expressed hope for a beneficial outcome for the town regarding the site. He stated, “I’d like to see it redeveloped into a retail park with entertainment venues such as cinema, bowling, games and food places”. He added, “Somewhere that parents in Dumfries can take their children and spend their money locally – rather than going further afield”.