11-17 English Street, Dumfries


Restoring a B-listed building

The project comprises a new traditional shopfront and extensive repair work to this listed Georgian building.

T.B. Watson are a long-established wine and spirit merchants with deep roots in Dumfries town centre. They have occupied this prominent building since the 1950s, with the project addressing the need for sensitive repair and renewal. Funding for the restoration work has been awarded through the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), recognising the building’s contribution to the character of the streetscape and the wider town centre.

The shopfront design uses colours that align with the company’s recent rebrand, and a floor mosaic at the entrance adds a subtle welcome and point of interest for customers.
The property has a long and varied history. Originally, there were two ground-floor shops either side of a central close, but it now functions as a single retail unit, with access to the upper floors now relocated to the rear.

While the current layout prevents full reinstatement of the original frontage, our new design reintroduces symmetry to the Georgian façade. The proportions, balance, and overall appearance of the elevation are improved through a carefully detailed traditional shopfront.

The sandstone walls of the existing building were also in poor condition, with extensive lime repointing and areas of rebuilding required.

The necessary approvals have all been granted by Dumfries and Galloway Council and construction is currently underway, with completion anticipated in early 2026.
Traditional Mosaic Designed for Shop Entrance

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Project Details

Location - Dumfries, Scotland
Completion -  Completion due Spring 2026
Client -  TB Watson
Main Contractor - William Waugh & Sons
Structural Engineer - Narro Associates
Quantity Surveyor - McGowan Miller
Conservation Architect - EALA Impacts

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