The last remaining pub in Ballantrae village has been saved for the community.
Thanks to over a quarter of a million funding from the Scottish Land Fund, The Ballantrae Trust is able to purchase, refurbish, develop and manage the Kings Arms as a community resource.
The Trust received £262,493 from the fund and is one of 16 groups sharing in almost £3.7 million across the country.
As well as serving food and drink, the new hub and pub will provide flexible spaces for locals and visitors to meet and socialise, to learn about Ballantrae’s heritage and to view work by local craftspeople and artists.
Carol Bell, Chair, of the Ballantrae Trust, said: “This is fantastic news. Along with the grant funding they are providing, the trust the Land Fund have shown by making this award, will help us to turn into reality our dream of developing the historic Kings Arms as a community pub and hub at the centre of village life.”
Repairs, refurbishment and development- along with the costs for a suitably experienced manager- will greatly exceed the generous Land Fund award.
But the Trust have also secured funding from Carrick Futures and the Ballantrae Community Fund, who have awarded £15,000 and £10,000 respectively, to assist with the King’s Arms project.
The Trust will shortly be announcing the opportunity for everyone in the area to become involved, by purchasing ‘Community Shares’ in the new village pub and hub.
They will also be looking for support of different kinds as they move into the next phase.
