\n<\/p>\n
The dilapidated building, which has stood empty for a quarter of a century, is now owned by Equorium Property Company Ltd, a subsidiary of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM). <\/p>\n
Permission was granted by Dumfries and Galloway Council in November to bulldoze the site, at an estimated cost of about \u00a3150,000.<\/p>\n
Louise Woods, 35, who lives in the town with her young family said it had “felt like an eternal eyesore”, and a blot on the local landscape. <\/p>\n
She said: “I didn’t realise the demolition was happening until Thursday night, but I think it’s great, it’s brilliant that it is finally getting taken down.<\/p>\n
“It’s rotting, it’s horrible, we can’t use it for anything, it has just felt like an eternal eyesore coming into the town, and we’re supposed to be a tourist destination.<\/p>\n
“It’s not a very good first impression when we’re promoting ourselves to visitors.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n