Thurso’s former Socially Growing shop available as community space after makeover

The former Socially Growing shop in Thurso town centre has been given a new lease of life as a community space that local groups can hire.

The change of focus at the Rotterdam Street building is part of a new strategy by Thurso Community Development Trust (TCDT), which is also developing its event resource facility.

Socially Growing served as a zero-waste community refill shop before closing over a year ago as it was “no longer financially viable”.

TCDT had moved into the premises – formerly Temptations, or Jessie Allan’s – in 2021 and Socially Growing began the following year.

Now the property has been given a makeover as a welcoming and flexible community space with a coastal theme. It is available for hire for community groups on an hourly, half-day, daily or longer basis.

The person behind the coastal theme makeover is the trust’s development manager, Alex Henderson. It is her first major task since starting her new job earlier this year.

She said: “We envisage that it can be used for meetings, informal gatherings, promotional events, pop-up shops or even workshops and exhibitions.

“It has been a privilege to collaborate with the board, staff and volunteers to bring a refreshed, repurposed and multi-use design to life.

“This project reflects not only the adaptability and creativity of our team but also the deep commitment to growth that defines the trust as a whole.”

Yvonne Rathbone, of Craft North, a group that runs markets in the town’s precinct, is already familiar with using the space.

“It provides a welcoming space for our vendors to set up their stalls, thereby creating a mini-market,” she said. “The new layout and décor allows vendors more options to display their products stylishly.”

Meanwhile, the trust has continued to improve and add to its community asset bank.

Originally set up in 2021, the facility offers resources that community organisations may only need occasionally, helping them to streamline event planning and enhance their offerings without the burden of upfront investment, storage or maintenance costs.

There is a long list of resources available including a PA system, marquee, plastic chairs and two-way radios.

TCDT continues to add to these resources and also welcomes donations.

Yvonne Rathbone added: “Without the continued support of the trust there would not be Thurso precinct markets. The fact that we can hire out all the gazebos from them via the asset bank means that community events, including our markets, are possible – a scheme that benefits all, working together for all.”

A group that will be using the shop space and asset bank this weekend is Stepping Out. Organiser Charlotte Garscadden said: “The trust has been instrumental in assisting us in bringing Pride to Caithness.

“We will use their shop space for our information stalls and the communal gardens for an after party, and access to the asset bank will help provide us with essential equipment needed for the smooth running of our day.”

Development manager Alex Henderson said: “In addition to short-term rentals, we will be opening up the space for a regular monthly session. The first one is July 1, and everyone is welcome to drop in any time between 11am and 3pm.

“Come, chat to the staff, board and volunteers with a cuppa, and discuss the trust’s work and our thoughts on the future.”

Email info@thursocdt.co.uk for further information and to hire the community space or use the asset bank.

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