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PROGRESS AND TIMELINE

August 2026

 

Hello


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.

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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

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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