In 2023 Newton Stewart Initiative entered into talks with the current owner of the Grapes Hotel. A derelict building on the high street, the owner was keen for this building to be used by and for the community. NSI’s vision was to convert the ground floor into a larger community shop, moving from it’s current location on Dashwood Square, as it has outgrown it’s current space and converting the two upstairs floors into affordable accomodation.
in 2024 Newton Stewart Initiative applied and received funding from the Scottish Land Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund and Rural Housing Fund to do feasability studies and surveys on the Grapes Hotel, Newton Stewart. Collective Architecture were commissioned to lead on the project for the Grapes Hotel.
In May 2024 Community Enterprise conducted a feasability study on the Grapes Hotel, Newton Stewart. They ran public consultations, online surveys and drop ins. You can read the report from the feasability study below.
As work progresses we will keep updating this page. We have just applied for stage two funding from the Scottish Land Fund and awaiting to hear the outcome in November.