December 13 2024

Efforts to reposition Dumbarton as a 'people-focussed neighbourhood' are advancing with planners approving public realm improvements for a dying outdoor mall in the heart of town.

Threesixty Architecture has drawn up plans to spruce up the ailing Artizan Centre with shopfront improvements, landscaping and associated infrastructure, part of a broader masterplan that could ultimately see the site redeveloped.

In a statement, the practice wrote: "One of three Levelling Up funded projects in Dumbarton, the Artizan Shopping Centre (located in the centre of the town) is 50% vacant with several short-term lets. The outdoor mall (College Way) comprises five buildings of stark, bland and monotonous architecture showing clear signs of deterioration. As such, the heart of the town centre is experiencing low footfall and a poor reputation in the community."

Approved phase one works will concentrate on High Street and College Way with facade improvements and new lighting stanchions inspired by the town's shipbuilding heritage. Due on-site early in the New Year the works will deliver a public square suitable for hosting events and prepare the ground for future development.

8 Comments

#1 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 13 Dec 2024 at 10:59 AM

When was the last time an upgrade was attempted?

What design / placemaking techno babble was used to describe it?

I fear we are pushing water uphill and getting very wet in the process.

#2 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 13 Dec 2024 at 13:13 PM

I don't recognise any Dumbartonians in the artist's impression. I fail to see why there should be a longterm goal. If the council hasn't got the funds on a site which they own why not negotiate with a developer who has? In the last few years the town has welcomed many new build private developments and another two are on site. It's a place with many attractions, and houses sell well. The real town centre is St James Retail Park which is very close to High Street. The Council should accept that
and encourage the owners of properties on the west side of the High Street to take advantage of their views over the River and promote the renovation of all High Street buildings for residential use.

#3 Posted by Roddy_ on 13 Dec 2024 at 13:36 PM

From the visuals it looks like more time has been spent on the over-wrought and over-bearing canopy and stanchions than on the human-centred aspects of public place design. The classic evidence of this is the provision of what looks like concrete blocks without backs or arm rests for sitting on. When you get the basics - the most fundamental aspects- of a potential public space this wrong you know that there will be long-term viability issues.
One can only hope that this visual is preliminary and that the patently hostile aspects of the design can be eliminated. Reliance on the adjacent businesses to supply public seating (as the image suggests) seems like abdicating responsibility for the design. A lighter touch to the on-site structures would help too. A bit less like the tail wagging the dog.

#4 Posted by Lovely on 13 Dec 2024 at 15:53 PM

Two 'dead' or 'dying' malls in one day?

Perhaps debt-based, planet-destroying, soul-less consumerism is finally dying a death, if so let's give it a decent Christian burial.

Although more likely just a move to even more rapacious online consumerism with 'eco' bells and whistles attached so you can polish your halo while you kill the planet....

#5 Posted by gay gordan on 14 Dec 2024 at 02:16 AM

A square won't work without edge activity. A good square doesn't need architects.

#6 Posted by Bobby on 15 Dec 2024 at 10:17 AM

Just imagine, if the shops and building fronts faced the river and green space opposite. In a traditional, sympathetic rustic manner.
I predict it's going to be the current turd replaced with a fresh turd. Sore on the eye and where people will bypass.
The selling point is the river and what did they do. Build a car park with the shops and buildings facing the other way.
Flatten it all and start again.

#7 Posted by town planner on 15 Dec 2024 at 13:08 PM

To put a slightly more positive spin on the above comments, I actually walked through that shopping centre recently and the proposals as pictured look a hell of a lot better that what's there currently.

#8 Posted by Sven on 15 Dec 2024 at 15:40 PM

The renaissance ratio of 3.2 streetscape works well to give light and a feeling of comfort. The above is too spaced out to give a feeling of peace and too windswept. The Glasgow Fort works as there is a feeling of street, mixed with decent landscaping. Enclose the pergola thing for markets and we might have something.

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