PRESS RELEASE FROM CIRCLE SCOTLAND CIC
22nd July 2022
Over 130 visitors attended public consultations held at Dundee’s Dudhope at the beginning of July. The event, hosted by the castle’s new tenant, The Circle, attracted people from as far afield as Ohio, the United States, Inverness and Edinburgh. However, most (65%) of the visitors were local to Dundee.
The Circle, an award-winning social enterprise, that rents workspaces in the castle to charities, social businesses and community groups, invited the public to tour the A-listed building. We want everyone to have a say in decisions about its future.
It is widely known in Dundee as the ‘People’s Castle’ though Dudhope Castle has not been open to the public for many years. 91% had heard of Dudhope Castle and only 47% had visited it in person.
Visitors enjoyed tours of the castle in July. Members of the public viewed the ‘History of Dudhope’ exhibition which detailed when they built the castle, and its many uses through to the present day. The exhibition detailed the castle’s links to William Wallace; its time as World War 1 and 2 Barracks, a zoo, and Abertay’s Business School.
The public has been invited to participate in a survey and share stories about the castle. One local visitor said “I played here as a child, (I) remember the monkeys in the cages and the museum. I remember playing on the cannon and going to concerts in the summertime. I also worked in the office for social work.”
Founder and CEO of The Circle, Kirsty Thomson said “The stories gathered will help us tell the history of the castle in a more visible and accessible way, we would love to capture more.”
From the survey, we have people suggesting a cafe on the grounds and 67% would like a Virtual Reality Museum. You can still have your say with the online survey open until the 16th of August 2022. We have the ‘History of Dudhope’ exhibition accessible online too.
Since becoming the new tenant of Dudhope Castle in May 2022, The Circle has been at maximum capacity and is home to charities and social enterprises such as Barnardo’s Works, Cornerstone, Funeral Link and Uppertunity. Each of the tenants makes Dudhope Castle their home.
Daniëlle Gaffney Du Plooy, founder of Uppertunity said, “being based at The Castle has made our space much more accessible, opening up the opportunity for people with learning difficulties to use our services much easier.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Find the link to the online survey here
Find a link to the ‘History of Dudhope’ here.
The Circle
The Circle is an award-winning Community Interest Company with a More Than Profit® ethos. A More Than Profit® business aims to make a profit, which will fund positive social change. They currently have hubs across Dundee and in Glasgow.
The Circle offers fair-rent workspaces within the friendly and inclusive ‘The Circle Community.’ Accessible business advice through ‘The Circle Consultancy’ and social entrepreneur training with ‘The Circle Academy.’
https://www.thecirclecic.org.uk/
Interviews available with:
Kirsty Thomson, Founder & CEO – [email protected] / 07512 163 618
Kate Pickering, Marketing & Communications – [email protected] / 07944 308 388