The project involved the detailed repair and extension of a ruinous Category B listed historic buildings in Dunbar's conservation area. The Ridge, a charity established to improve training and employment opportunities for local people,  took over the lease of the ruinous site in 2017 with an ambitious vision for restoration, community benefit, job creation, and training.

Simpson & Brown began with a condition survey and feasibility study. A series of consultations with our client’s teams and the local community helped us understand the requirements, informing the brief and design proposals. The resulting study played a pivotal role in the charity securing funding  from East Lothian Council, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

Work began in early 2023, led by The Ridge Foundations. As the charity's construction company and social enterprise, The Ridge Foundations' core mission is to provide high-quality training in traditional skills and supported employment for individuals who typically face barriers to accessing or sustaining work. Simpson & Brown actively contributed to this initiative, running educational programs, site tours, and knowledge-sharing sessions with the trainees and students.

The restored and extended buildings now offer a range of community spaces, including a 'drop-in' hub, a training kitchen (using garden produce), meeting spaces, and workshops. The project demonstrates how historic preservation and community empowerment can work together to achieve remarkable results. Through a collaborative approach, new life has been breathed into a neglected building while fostering a sense of pride and ownership within the local community.

Following the success of this award winning project, we are now developing an adjacent high street site with The Ridge that will see the creation of six new homes, a retail unit and new office spaces.