Locals get cash to revitalise local community

Residents of a tiny North Lanarkshire community have been given funding to buy their local pub.

A grant of £184,000 from the Scottish Land Fund will enable local to buy the Swan Inn.

The community said the pub was an essential part of the town following the closure of the Post Office in 2010 and the village store two years later.

Cash will be used to install a post office, shop and cafe in the pub as well as a multi-purpose meeting space.

Catherine Moneypenny from the People United for Banton group said that the cash would secure vital and previously lost local services for years to come.

“Our village was hit hard by the closure of the Post Office in 2010, followed two years later by the village shop," she said.

“We are absolutely delighted that we can purchase the Swan Inn, which will revitalise our community and ensure the services we so vitally need are restored and secured."

Six other projects across Scotland will share nearly £1.4 million from the fund.

Glenboig Development Trust has been given £87,064 to enhance the area's community centre and Tiree Community Development Trust received £154,370 to take over the Hynish Centre.

John Watt, Scottish Land Fund committee chair, said: “One of the many strengths of the Scottish Land Fund is its ability to respond flexibly to the individual needs of local communities.

“For example, today, for the first time, we're awarding funding to enable local people to buy their village pub.

“In doing so, this community will be able to restore important facilities which have disappeared from the village in recent years, thereby creating a brighter future for local people, now, and in the future.”