With Dundee Design Festival taking place from September 23, the premises at 162 Albert Street will serve as a concept shop where members of the public can build their own character that is in balance.

Various character parts will be on display, and ‘shoppers’ can exchange special tokens to buy parts, such as an ‘imaginative’ head, ‘nature’ legs and more, that they feel makes up a well-balanced character.

The parts will be made of wood and shoppers can assemble their character similar to a Lego figure. The shop will even include an actor filling the role of shopkeeper, who will help shoppers browse their ideal character parts.

Following the close of Dundee Design Festival on the 3rd of October, the premise’s new use as a community consultation hub will give local Stobswell residents a point of contact where they can drop in to ask questions, have their views heard and access information and support in one place.

In December, the shop will then transition to a community Christmas hub, serving as a central point for Christmas present donations, distribution of food and wellness packages to vulnerable people in the local community, as well a Santa’s grotto and Santa’s Post Office.

Councillor Georgia Cruickshank said: “It’s great to see Hillcrest’s partnership working with the Stobswell Community, and the free rental of the shop at 162 Albert Street to Dundee Design Festival is welcomed.

“I fully support the work of Stobswell Forum and I am delighted that they will be taking over the shop from 3rd October through to December as a community consultation hub and then ultimately a Christmas hub. I urge members of the community to get involved in these two ventures, made possible through the generosity of Hillcrest.”

Angela Linton, chief executive of Hillcrest Homes, added: “Our commitment to the communities we operate in is hugely important to our organisation, so we’re delighted to be able to offer this property to the Stobswell community.

“The various uses that the community will get out of the property will be of huge benefit, and it’s also a testament to the proactive work Stobswell Forum and Dundee Design Festival are doing in supporting the local area.”

Colin Clement of Stobswell Forum, commented: “The Stobswell Forum are delighted to be able to work in partnership with Hillcrest Homes and Dundee Design Festival to bring something unique and exciting to the Albert St Shopping Centre, and we hope this will be the first of many new initiatives that will make Albert St an even better place to visit and shop.”