August 2026 - what happens next with The Haven Community Inn process?

Summer is drifting by and the Haven is busy.  At this time of year, it really demonstrates what a valuable place it is.  

In addition to people enjoying a regular drink, there are lots of occasional visitors.  You always hear phrases like ‘‘Hi, long time no see’’, and ‘’Good to see you again’’ as members of the wider Haven Community call by.

As you know, we have made good progress as we endeavor to bring the Haven into community ownership and to establish it as ‘The Haven Community Inn’.  Thanks to everyone who has provided comment and feedback and has helped to shape the vision for the community-owned Haven.  

All of our efforts made it possible to put in a strong bid to the Scottish Land Fund for a grant to support the purchase – hopefully a grant equal to 90% of the cost.

The bid benefited hugely from the fact that we were able to demonstrate the strength of support for the community buy out.  We now have 155 paid up Members and a further 99 Friends.

In the bid, in line with the views that have come from Members and Friends, we have made it clear that the Haven plays a vital role in the community.  We have also emphasised that we are aiming to create The Haven Plus – encompassing all of the great things that the Haven does at present and widening these out to create a Community Hub where people can meet, take part in shared activities and stay connected.

So, you are thinking, ‘What happens next?’ 

The bid process is a complicated one and assessment takes a bit of time.  The National Lottery Fund are paid as an independent body to evaluate the bids and to reach a decision on which are funded.  We hope to hear the outcome in early October.  At present, we are answering supplementary questions that are being put to us by the Lottery people.

It’s a tough process, our understanding is that the fund is overbid by a factor of two, in other words, for every £2.00 that has been asked for, there is £1.00 available.  Hopefully, the strength of our bid along with the fact that we have clear and detailed business plan and timeline will put wind in our sails.We’ll keep you in touch over the coming weeks and hope to be able to meet quite a few of you in the Haven or at the two local Summer events where we will have a stall.

These are the Anstruther Harbour Festival on the weekend of 28th to 30th August and the Tidal Pool Party on Saturday 15th August.

So – fingers crossed.  We will, of course, keep you fully up to date as we move towards Decision Day.

Best wishes for continuing sunshine and fun this Summer.

Craig

Dr Craig Thomson

Management Committee Chair

PS If you aren't a Member already, find out more and join here.

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