Our New Home
26 South Main Street
Back Where It All Began
We're going back to our roots when we move to a new home in Wigtown at the beginning of next year. Visitors can get a sneak preview straight away as 26 South Main Street will be hosting a pop-up bookshop and gallery during the festival.
We’ve been renting 11 North Main Street since 2017 but thanks to support from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), we’ve been able to buy the very building, a few hundred metres away, which was where the festival and Book Town launched in the 90s.
Anne Barclay, WFC Operations Director, said -
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the company, and the festival, as we look at how to develop in our second quarter century.
“Number 11 has been a very happy home for us for several years. And now we are delighted to be able to take the next step and have the security and sustainability of a headquarters that belongs to the company. This has been made possible thanks to funding from SOSE, as part of its mission to support the economic regeneration of southern Scotland.
“It is also a great legacy for the previous owner, Machars Action, as it means that the property will continue to be used by people who are dedicated to building a thriving future for our area and its people.
“Book Town and the festival started from 26 South Main Street in 1997, so it feels like coming full circle – coming home.”
WFC staff will all be based at Number 26, which will also be the hub for festival ticket sales and the company’s book and gift shop from January.
James Pattison, a Community Development Advisor at SOSE who has worked with Wigtown Festival Company, said: “Wigtown Book Festival brings many thousands of visitors to our region each year, strengthening the local economy and supporting employment.
“SOSE is proud to support Wigtown Festival Company to find a permanent home where they can continue to grow, and provide unique cultural experiences to the people of the South of Scotland, and beyond.”
Nicole Court, of Machars Action, added: “The Board of Machars Action are so very pleased that, after almost 30 years’ commitment to this wonderful region of South West Scotland, 26 South Main Street will become the new, and very fitting home for the festival company. We wish them every success and thank them for their support.”