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PROGRESS AND TIMELINE

July 2026

 

Hi all

Work goes on to bring the Haven into Community Ownership.

We have now reached a crucial point - where we need to recruit members and thus demonstrate community support.

The stakes are high.  We intend to make bids for financial support of over £350,000 - which will cover a high percentage of the overall costs.  Levels of membership - demonstrating tangible support are critical in this.

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Last year, we achieved Community Benefit Society (CBS) status - formal status under terms set out by the FCA.  We have to recruit members in line with our CBS Rules.  This involves having a form completed and a payment of £20.00 for 20 £1.00 shares.

Your investment of this amount is entirely safe.  All funds will be held securely in the Society’s (i.e. the Community Inn’s) bank account.  They will only be used if the purchase of the Haven goes ahead.  If the purchase does not proceed, your money will be returned to you in full.

By becoming a Member, you will help us to demonstrate powerful, tangible community support which is critical to unlocking the funding that we need to take the Haven into Community ownership.

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If you have already become a Member, thank you.  If not, and you are interested, you can find out more here.  

 

Thanks for your continuing support.  

Craig
 

Dr Craig Thomson
Chair

On behalf of the Management Committee for the Haven Community Inn Ltd.

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December
 

  • Pre-initial public meeting. Craig Thomson of Cellardyke met with Trevor Gow, owner of The Haven, to discuss a possible community buy out.  
     

  • Craig brings together a small group to consider what might be achieved.  It is agreed that a public meeting should be held in The Haven early in 2024.

2023

2024

March
  

  • 1st March: Further public meeting in The Haven (attended by 53) to update the community on research so far.
     

  • Questionnaire issued at meeting.
     

  • Facebook page launched ‘The Haven in Cellardyke Community Buy Inn’.
     

  • End March: Letter drop to 2500 homes in Cellardyke and Kilrenny. 
     

  • Application to Plunkett UK, a national charity supporting people in rural areas to set up and run businesses in community ownership.
     

  • Plunkett UK Seed funding approved £2,000. 

February
 

  • 1Feb: Public meeting in The Haven to outline the thinking, approx. 62 attendees. 
     

  • 18 Volunteers selected for a Working Group.
     

  • Project started as ‘The Haven in Cellardyke Community BuyInn’.
     

  • Temporary website established as a short-term way of communication.
     

  • 15 Feb: Meeting of the volunteers for the working group to discuss initial objectives, possible funding and support, experience from other community buy-out programmes, initial community consultation and legal status required.
     

  • Initial subgroups established from this meeting to follow up on these areas.

 April
 

  • 17 April: Steering Group established from members of the initial working group.
     

  • Draft Constitution issued and made available on the website.
     

  • Detailed meeting with Plunkett UK to discuss route forward to establish business plan and funding options. 
     

  • Contact established with Democratic Scotland and Scottish Land Fund.
     

  • 24 April: Public Meeting in Cellardyke Town Hall (80 attendees, 60 of these new faces).
     

  • Survey Monkey launched at the meeting with positive feedback from 155.
     

  • Feedback and summary of public engagement so far.

July
 

  • 30 July: Steering Group Meeting agrees to adopt the legal approach of a Community Benefit Society and also approves the Constitution document.

October/November
 

  • Events run by The Haven in Partnership with/supported by the Community Buy Inn team get underway with well attended monthly Quiz nights and sell-out St Andrews Night event.
     

  • Video meeting with Democratic Finance Scotland, a programme that supports community and social enterprises to secure their long-term financial sustainability.

2025

September 
 

  • 5 September: Steering Group Meeting.
     

  • Community consultation report received by Steering Group highlighting views of key groups and pointing to areas of consultation still required.
     

  • 25 September: Formally joined Plunkett UK
     

  • Agreed to adhere to Plunkett UK's Model Rules for the funding application.
     

  • Funding application to be submitted by end of 2024.
     

  • Steering Group to provide support to social events at The Haven during winter – music nights, quiz nights, St Andrews night etc.
     

  • Walk around video launched The Haven Buy Inn Community Facebook page outlining the possibilities for The Haven (12,000+ views and growing).

May
 

  • Registration achieved with FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) - WE ARE NOW A COMMUNITY BENEFIT SOCIETY​
     

  • This means we can move forward with funding bids
     

  • We are now called THE HAVEN COMMUNITY INN LIMITED

March
 

  • Draft application of the Community Benefit Society being reviewed with Plunkett UK.​
     

  • This new website went live on 26 March 2025
     

  • Social and music evening held on 26 March to update people and gather thoughts and ideas. 

August
 

  • Launch of the ‘Friends of The Haven’ initiative

December
 

  • Bid won for Stage 1 'Preparatory' Funding to be carried out in Q1 2026

2026

June
 

  • Launch of the ‘Members’ initiative

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