A community group in Fairlie are hoping to save the village pub ... and will have a dry run at doing so with the Calcutta Cup rugby weekend over 10, 11 and 12 March.
That is because the new steering group have booked out the Village Hall during the international Six Nations rugby weekend in a similar vein to when the hall was opened for the World Cup back in 2008 when the pub was last closed. A large projector screen will show the sport.
The news was revealed at Fairlie Community Council's monthly meeting by Councillor Alan Hill, who is a member of the steering group, and revealed that they were in the process of sending out a questionnaire to the village about saving the pub.
Residents should start receiving the questionnaire over the next week, the results of which will determine the viability and local demand for a community venture to try and take over the running of the Bay Street bar, which closed suddenly in November.
Cllr. Hill stated that he was reasonably confident that the village could build a case to save the much loved bar and restaurant diner, and talks had opened with the owner who was open to the idea at this stage. The bar area was traditionally known as the Mudhook.
Portencross resident Audrey Kolon said at the meeting that she was a frequent visitor to the Village Inn, and since it has closed, Fairlie had 'lost its soul' and believed that the area could be an important village hub, including a post office, and a shop.
Cllr, Hill pointed out that a number of funding options would be examined in relation to a community buy-out including the Scottish Land Fund and community shares. He added that the community had felt the loss of the facility, not just in terms of a social facility, but in terms of providing local jobs.
In early November, the Village Inn in Fairlie has closed with immediate effect/
A Facebook message appeared on the pub's social media page on Tuesday afternoon alerting the public to the closure, and thanking loyal customers.
The Bay Street bar and restaurant was re-opened by Mr Corrigan in December 2008, after it has been closed for three years, and is one of the oldest pubs in the local area, with adverts appearing in the Largs and Millport News for the establishment going back to the 1870s.
It was the only existing pub in Fairlie following the closure of the Kelburn Hotel around 15 years ago.
The Village Inn has won Craft Beer awards over recent years from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and also hosted real ale festivals, and has even hosted the Fairlie Gala Festival in the past. The bar also has a number of Fife boatyard connections, including a sign recognising the historic links on the front of the premises.