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A roaring success!
Community-owned pub, The Red Lion Inn, is 'pride' of the village!
Organisation name: Culross Development Trust
Funding received: Business support from Scottish Government via Plunkett UK
Date awarded: 01/04/2024
Location: Red Lion Inn, Low Causeway, Culross, Fife, KY12 8HN
The Scottish Rural Network (SRN) fund the Scottish Rural and Island Community Pub Network, which is delivered by Plunkett UK on our behalf.
The network supports rural and island community groups seeking to develop or take ownership of a pub within their community.
This case study video highlights how the people of Culross in Fife developed and opened a community-owned pub. They share details and insights of their journey to owning and running their establishment, The Red Lion Inn. With support from Plunkett UK and Development Trusts Association Scotland, the community took ownership of the pub and transformed it into a thriving community hub.
The Red Lion Inn, located at the heart of the historic 17th-century Royal burgh of Culross in Fife, has been an important part of the community providing food, drink and a meeting place since the mid-to-late 14th century.
The pub – known locally simply as The Red – was with the previous owners for nearly 30 years, but was put up for sale as they wished to retire. The local community responded, fearful of losing its treasured pub, and after a sustained and determined campaign, the pub was finally bought by the community through its Community Benefit Society, the West Fife Community Trading Limited (WFCT), in July 2022, with community shares held by 270 shareholders.
A community-owned pub is run by its residents for its local residents and visitors and delivers, not only, a place to eat and drink, but brings people together, provides jobs, training and volunteering opportunities and additional essential services, such as a post office, shop or library.
Plunkett UK is a national charity with a vision for resilient, thriving and inclusive rural communities. To achieve this, they support people in rural areas to set up and run a wide range of businesses which are genuinely owned by local communities, whereby members have equal and democratic control. Find out more about the support and advice available for communities in Scotland here.
Thanks to Plunkett UK and Democratic Finance Scotland for co-producing such a fantastic film.
