Michelin Development supports sustainable creative spaces in Dundee

The development of a contemporary, creative space with a sustainable focus for start-up businesses and the wider Dundee community has been given a boost with a low-coast loan from Michelin Development.

 

Centred around the refurbishment of the former Blackness Iron Works, CANVAS is a new resource for work, rest and play in the city.

 

The landmark building has been repurposed to cater for up to 1,200 visitors across a variety of mixed-use spaces with a focus on sustainability and a goal of creating a Net Zero building.

 

Michelin Development has supported the development, which features bars, kitchen facilities, gallery spaces and creative studios, as well as the popular 71 Brewery.

 

The building has been engineered to ensure that waste heat from the brewery operations on the ground floor is captured and converted to energy which heats and cools the upper floors of the building. Solar power is now being added to allow the building to step towards net zero on energy use.

 

Brian Cairns, of Michelin Development in Dundee, said: “CANVAS offers a creative space to develop business opportunities in the city, providing an inspiring environment for freelancers and small businesses in the studios based at the site.

 

“Its positive impact on the city’s economic development, combined with a focus on its environment footprint, aligned with the values of Michelin Development in supporting high-potential, small and medium-sized enterprises in and around the Dundee region.”

CANVAS is the brainchild of Neil Mowat and Duncan Alexander, of Red Brick Creative, who have pooled their expertise in the music industry, branding and IT to create the facility.

 

Neil Mowat said: “The process of dealing with Michelin Development was straightforward and the application structure is such that all the critical areas to consider in building a business are considered.

 

“There was a real understanding of what we are setting out to achieve at CANVAS, and the low-cost loan has proved invaluable in helping us to develop the building, with a minimal carbon footprint.”

 

As well as subsidised loans, Michelin Development’s services include grants and free, independent, expert advice to set out routes to growth for local businesses.

 

It is backed by a steering committee made up of organisations including Michelin, Angus Council, Business Gateway, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, Dundee City Council, Scottish Enterprise and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

 

Manufacturing or service sector (B2B) businesses with fewer than 250 employees may be eligible for support.

 

Applications to Michelin Development need to be supported with a viable business plan and relevant financial accounting information, that demonstrates the potential to create high-quality jobs.

 

Date of publication: 26th March 2026