Julie Willan, Catherine Brown, Richard Draper, Pennie Cumming and Craig Hamnett of Wigtown’s Community Inn Community Benefit Society

Bid to save historic Wigtown building receives £337,500 funding

by · Daily Record

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A bid to save a centuries old building in the centre of Wigtown has secured £337,500 in funding.

The Community Inn Community Benefit Society (CBS) was formed earlier this year in a bid to preserve The Plough Inn.

And the project has now received the support of South of Scotland Enterprise, who have provided the grant.

SOSE chairman, Russell Griggs OBE, said: “One of our priorities at SOSE is to support vibrant, resilient and enterprising communities to help tackle the economic and social challenges we face, and help our region to flourish.

“With the support of our communities team, Wigtown Community Inn CBS is doing exactly that, as they bring a disused building back into use for the benefit of the community as well as contribute to the local economy.

“I look forward to seeing this project progress and the new Inn becoming a real asset for Wigtown.”

The CBS is a not-for-profit organisation aiming to open the building to promote social gathering, provide employment and training and to hold events, as well as boost economy and offer accommodation and meals.

Dr Jacqui Robertson of Reading Lasses bookshop and cafe said: “The pub would provide important economic and social roles which have been missing in Wigtown.”

The group was formed in March, originally comprising of George Willan, Catherine Brown, Richard Draper, Pennie Cumming, Craig Hamnett and Kevin Witt. Sadly, George passed away in May, with his death leaving a void in the community.

His wife Julie has now joined the management committee, with George Moore coming on board as treasurer.

Now the funding has been secured for the building, the attention is on raising the start-up money needed to turn the CBS’ vision into reality and get the building open as soon as possible.

Bids are being made to funding bodies and there are plans for a community share offering, with people being invited to become members of the Community Benefit Society for just £1.

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