Villagers get keys to pub

A COMMITTED group of Brydekirk residents have taken a big step towards bringing their village pub back to life.

The Brig Inn Community Pub and Hub group received the keys to The Brig Inn last Friday after raising the money required to purchase the property as a community asset.

And, if all goes to plan with refurbishment, people could be socialising in the space by the summer.

Group secretary Evie Bywaters said: “The Brig Inn has long been a central part of village life. Bringing it into community ownership ensures it can once again serve as a place for connection, activity and opportunity – run by the community, for the community.

“The next step will be refurbishment.

“The idea, at the moment, is for a pub and community hub downstairs and affordable community owned accommodation upstairs.

“We are hoping to maybe open in the summer.

“We will be launching a share offer. We have now got to raise the money to refurbish it.”

The Brig Inn closed in 2020 and four years later the community benefit society formed, with an aim of bringing the property into community ownership.

In December the group received a £95k grant from the Scottish Land Fund.

However, a funding gap remained. And this was bridged thanks to donations totalling almost £40k from dozens of individuals.

Once up and running, the pub will offer a licensed bar serving food and drink, a community shop, and a space for groups to use.

And the two-bedroom flat upstairs will be refurbished and made available for rent.

The pub was confirmed as a community asset during a public meeting at Brydekirk Village Hall on Monday evening.

Meanwhile, the group is currently looking for a new secretary and other admin support going forward.

You can visit their Facebook page or website to find out more.

Thanks are expressed to the Scottish Land Fund, South of Scotland Enterprise and the Minsca fund for their financial backing.

The Plunkett foundation, Democratic Finance Scotland, Tor Justad, Just Enterprise, South of Scotland Community Housing and Jamie Dent of the Dumfriesshire East Community benefit group, for their advice and guidance.

And to the many individuals who donated so generously, both locally and from further afield.