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PROGRESS AND TIMELINE

Hi all


February 2026

 

Following our news before Christmas to update you on our successful bid for stage 1 funding from the Scottish Land Fund, we have now engaged with Community Enterprise to build on the consultation done to date and further investigate the feasibility of moving the Haven in to community ownership.

A vital part of this is consulting with the local community to ensure that local people support the buy out and that the project will be viable and beneficial to the village of Cellardyke.

 

Should the results of this study present a viable and sustainable project, the community will set up a structure that will apply to the Scottish Land Fund for stage 2 funding to purchase the building and the business.

 

SLF can fund 95% of the valuation so there may be an opportunity for the community to donate or invest.

Community Enterprise will be leading this stage of community consultation by running a survey and holding two open discussion events at the Haven.  These are being publicised on our Facebook page and Website and locally by poster.

 

Please help by sharing your views in this survey link:

​

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Haven-Community-Survey

​

The two open discussion events in the Haven will be on:

 

  • Wednesday 11th February 3-5pm (Presentation at 3.15pm)
     

  • Wednesday 25th February 7-8.30pm (Presentation at 7.15pm)

 

Please come along if you would like to hear more about the project and share your thoughts.

Many thanks and we look forward to your views.
Craig


Dr Craig Thomson
Depute Chair

The Haven Community Inn Management Committee

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

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