The Merse is an accessible venue located on Lochancroft Lane in the heart of Wigtown, Scotland's National Book Town.
As well as hosting in-house events, the venue can be booked by a wide range of user groups. The Merse has WiFi, different staging options, and a range of audio/visual support and equipment for hire, making it a flexible and accessible space for all sorts of events.
VENUE
THE MERSE
The building currently has one large main hall, a smaller hall, stage, kitchenette, toilets, accessible toilet, outside grassed area and two parking spots (allocated for blue badge holders) with ample free parking nearby. The building is wheelchair accessible. Tables and chairs can be placed according to your requirements.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
The flexible space, with good natural daylight, makes an ideal venue for rehearsal space, workshops, tuition & teaching.
There is space for a breakout room or to use as a green room or private dressing area.
EVENTS
As well as events run by The Merse team, performers can book the space and run their own ticketed event.
The Merse can be hired by community users at a standard rate of £10 per hour. Discounts for block bookings and multiple rooms are available.
WORKING ON IT!
Since its purchase in March 2025, the volunteer team behind the Merse have been working hard to make improvements to the building, including upgrading the windows and exterior doors and improving access by building a ramp to the rear door.
Additional storage is planned for regular user groups to house large pieces of sports equipment and the toddler's toys and play equipment. Further works to the exterior of the building have been costed and W&BCI is applying for funding - this work is mainly focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing running costs.
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We will keep the community updated on developments through the website, and advise any user groups directly. The improvement works will be a staged and carefully managed process to minimise impact on nearby residents and regular user groups.