The Usual Place

General information

The former Townhead Church on the corner of Academy Street and Lover's Walk, Dumfries, is owned by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Inspired has acquired the use of the building to create a social enterprise community cafe accessible to everyone and providing employability skills training for young people aged between 16 and 26 with additonal support needs.

Architects' plans are well progressed and envisage a main area retailing healthy food, tea, coffee and other non-alcholic beverages, an exhibition gallery area for local arts and crafts, a fully equipped and accessible food preparation/kitchen area and flexible training rooms.

To be called ‘The Usual Place', the cafe will become one of the few facilities in Dumfries to be truly accessible to all and, like DGOne, will have a Changing Places toilet.

People with impairments and complex needs often require extra facilities to allow them to use the toilets comfortably.

Changing Places toilets are different to standard disabled toilets with extra features and more space to meet these needs such as height adjustable adult-sized changing benches, tracking hoist systems, adequate space in the changing area for the disabled person and up to two carers, a centrally placed toilet with rooms either side for the carers and screens or curtains to allow the disabled person and carer some privacy.

Without these additional facilities, many would simply not be able to enjoy days out.

The food preparation/kitchen area will also be accessible to disabled people and this part of the project is receiving funding support from the rugby charity, The Wooden Spoon.