CRICHTON BRIEFING 3 NOVEMBER UPDATE
On Tuesday 3 November, Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust hosted his monthly update meeting on Zoom.
Gwilym welcomed everyone to the meeting at 4pm.
Key Updates:
Outdoor Space: We have been encouraged by those using the grounds throughout the year. The grounds have been stunning during the autumn and we encourage everyone to keep utilising our outdoor space – it is here to be used and enjoyed.
FACTS: With Covid-19 cases on the rise again, we continue to review what we do and what else we can do to minimise risks for our colleagues, tenants and visitors at The Crichton. We just remind everyone to comply with the FACTS (Face Coverings / Avoid Crowds / Clean hands / Two metres / Self isolate and Test) to keep everyone as safe as possible. Just a reminder that The Crichton Trust has purchased a new fogging machine to safely and quickly sanitise buildings and spaces as a precautionary measure when required.
Events and Initiatives:
End Polio Now Campaign: The Crichton Trust has recently supported The Rotary Club of Dumfries with its End Polio Now Campaign for 2020 and last weekend Easterbrook Hall turned purple to support their appeal.
The Doonhame Festival: The second Doonhame Festival will take place at The Crichton in July 2021 with a great line-up including The Kaiser Chiefs. All relevant safety measures will be in place and we will keep tenants and partners up to date with set-up arrangements nearer the time. The small, family-friendly festival gives us all something to look forward to in the summer of 2021.
Hospitality Update:
Easterbrook Hall: Given the significant challenges and uncertainties for the events and hospitality sector due to Covid-19, Easterbrook Hall remains closed to the public until the end of March 2021. Easterbrook Hall, is however, being used to support organisations involved in the Covid-response.
Venues Team: We have now completed an essential restructuring process, which unfortunately resulted in a few redundancies within our Venues Team. With less footfall from businesses and events, it was necessary for us to scale our team to meet the current demand and to ensure we are able to adapt to changing circumstances over the next 6-8 months.
Crichton Central: Work is progressing well in Crichton Central and, pending Covid-19 restrictions, will open in a phased way from February 2021. The painters are now in the building and the glazing will be installed before Christmas. As said previously, Crichton Central is about encounters, making connections, building relationships and forming partnerships and it will be a place for collaboration, knowledge exchange, live music and broadcast. We look forward to welcoming DCR Online back to the building too.
Easterbrook Bistro: From 1 November opening hours have been revised. The Bistro will now be open 7 days, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. If necessary, Easterbrook Bistro will provide a takeaway only service, but we are still offering a table service and a takeaway service at present.
Planning ahead: The Crichton Trust is in the process of producing a Crichton Manifesto to outline an 18th month plan for The Crichton. This will include new projects and initiatives that will be rolled out over the next five years. As a Social Enterprise and Registered Charity, we acknowledge the work of The Crichton Trust Board and our Executive Team in helping to shape the future of The Crichton. The Crichton Trust will remain focussed on protecting the wellbeing of people, place and partners (everyone who has a stake in The Crichton) and in creating the best possible future for The Crichton and its people and organisations. This new strategic plan will be published by the end of the year which positions The Crichton as a place to live and learn, appreciate and enjoy and innovate and create.
Thank you, stay safe and stay well.
Q&A:
- Do you have an update on Crichton Hall?
- No formal update, but we do know that there is a caretaker living in the building and that the new owners are in contact with NHS Dumfries & Galloway.
Future Meetings:
- A separate meeting for Tenants also takes place on the last Wednesday of every month on Zoom. Details have been circulated to tenants or can be obtained by contacting The Crichton Trust. There is also an opportunity for tenants to share information about their business with other tenants at these meetings. Next meeting: 25 November at 4pm.
- The Crichton Briefings take continue to take place on the first Tuesday of every month at 4pm on Zoom. Next meeting: 1 December at 4pm. All welcome. To join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83876523626
Thank you to everyone who continues to join our meetings.
#TheCrichton #TheCrichtonCommunity #Aplacetobreathe #BuildBackBetter
