Catherine – The Usual Place

Assistance Dogs at The Usual Place

30/03/2026

Assistance Dogs Policy: We only allow assistance dogs in the cafe. As a specialist training cafe we have young people with additional support needs who may not be able to navigate animals on the floor space for a number of...

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Young people meet The First Minister for Scotland

18/03/2026

John Swinney MSP, First Minister for Scotland called in early this morning to see us here at The Usual Place before the cafe opened as he was in the region and had heard about the photography exhibition organised by @U3A...

Our Journey

First Minister Calls in to see Exhibition at The Usual Place

18/03/2026

John Swinney MSP, First Minister for Scotland called in early this morning to see us here at The Usual Place before the cafe opened as he was in the region and had heard about the photography exhibition organised by @U3A...

Current News

2nd March 2026 Launch of Photography Exhibition

20/02/2026

We are delighted to be the venue for a very interesting photographic exhibition at The Usual Place which will launch on Monday 2nd March at 6-8pm. The exhibition will be available to customers during cafe opening times until Friday 11th...

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25th March 2026 Balliol Singers Spring Concert at The Usual Place

18/02/2026

The Balliol Singers, with Director Katharine Durran present Beautiful Dreamer, A celebration of 250 years of American Independence The concert is on Thursday 26th March 2026 at 7.30pm at The Usual Place Admission £12 (children free) This event is in...

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Young woman stands behind a till and smiles. She is wearing a black uniform with an apron, glasses and has her hair tied back

Leah’s Story

11/02/2026

Being Seen and Accepted Leads to Confidence, Learning and Ambition. A year ago, I moved to Dumfries & Galloway due to family circumstances and found myself unable to get a job. I left behind my home, familiar environments, friends, routines...

Our Journey

Young Man is smiling and speaking into a microphone, He has short dark hair

Harry’s Story

11/02/2026

When the spark of inspiration meets the fuel of possibility. My name is Harry and I work at The Usual Place as an Information Intern. However, I began here as a trainee in the Cafe’s Front of House team. Before...

Our Journey

Scam Awareness Drop-In Event Tue 6th January 2026

30/12/2025

Scam Awareness Drop-In Event Tue 6th January 2026 from 10am – 12pm The Usual Place, Dumfries DG1 1BZ with experts from Santander Bank and D&G Community Police This special event is for anyone and everyone who may have been affected...

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Christmas 2025 Message from our Chief Executive

17/12/2025

As 2025, our tenth year, draws to a close, it is a pleasure to wish you a Merry Christmas from everyone here at The Usual Place. At the beginning of this year I was genuinely unsure whether we would reach...

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Smartly dressed lady in pink hat stands next to a tall middle-aged lady with short blonde hair and glasses. The former is wearing black gloves and is pinning a British empire Medal with red ribbon to the blonde lady's black dress

Usual Place Founder is Presented with British Empire Medal November 2025

01/12/2025

Heather Hall, the woman who fought to set up The Usual Place and set up the charity behind the cafe: Inspired Community Enterprise Trust Ltd in 2011 was presented with a British Empire Medal by Lord Lieutenant Fiona Armstrong on...