PLANS to expand Moffat Woollen Mill and create a new car park could create jobs and bring tens of thousands of new visitors to the town, it is being said.
The mill and the adjacent former Mercury Inn site is owned by Equorium Property Company Ltd (EPC), with the woollen mill being one of more than 20 sites run by Purepay Retail Ltd through the Edinburgh Woollen Mill brand.
EPC lodged their plans with Dumfries and Galloway Council just before Christmas to turn the former hotel site into a brand new car park, with work to the existing car park to make it suitable for coaches, motorhomes and disabled parking.
The application also revealed plans for an extension with a new entrance to the mill, as well as electrical vehicle charging points, an outdoor seating area and better access for cyclists and walkers.
Supporting documents for EPC’s application states: “The intention is to enhance the centre’s overall appearance and improve the range of visitor facilities and amenities; whilst also meeting the aspirations for the site which were expressed by the local community in the Moffat Community Action Plan and the more recent Moffat Place Plan.
“The underling objective of the proposals is to increase visitor numbers to the site and particularly those travelling to Moffat on long distance coach trips.”
BULLDOZED . . . site of new car park
EPC estimates that the mill attracts in excess of 250,000 visitors a year from across the UK as well as from abroad. Edinburgh Woollen Mill also estimate that last year around 3500 coaches with 130,000 coach passengers visited the centre.
However, due to a steady decline in coach party visits, EPC believes that a redevelopment of the mill will secure its future and it is hoped the work will bring in 65,000 new visitors. They said: “In addition to the operational and amenity improvements to the existing tourist and visitor centre, the development proposals represents a significant multi million pound investment in the local Moffat area.
“The proposals for the site will also safeguard the long term future of the Moffat Mill and will therefore enhance the centre’s already significant contribution to the local and regional economy.”
The scheme has the backing of VisitScotland who confirmed the significance of the centre as an important tourist attraction within the region. A spokesperson for the organisation commented: “The creation of new and upgraded visitor facilities at Moffat Mill in Dumfries and Galloway has the potential to drive forward the visitor economy in the region and play a part in delivering on the ambitious goals of the responsible tourism strategy.
“If successful in the approval of this project, VisitScotland would look forward to working with the Moffat Mill team in delivering a quality experience for our visitors and encouraging wider enjoyment of all that the South of Scotland has to offer.”