04-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Argyll inn to reopen after being bought by community
Since then, the Oakbank Community Inn Sandbank (OCIS) committee of volunteers behind the takeover of the venue, closed for over two years, has been busy attracting shareholders to 'buy' into the scheme with over 200 people from as far afield as the USA purchasing shares.
Committee member Sue McKillop said: 'The majority of our shareholders are based around Sandbank and Dunoon but we have got people supporting us from across Scotland, the UK and further afield. The support we've received has been fantastic but we can't rest on our laurels.
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'The pub was once one of three licensed establishments in Sandbank but the rapid decline in the number of pubs left us with nowhere for the community to gather when the venue last closed its doors.
'We face many challenges, not least a very steep learning curve for the committee and a need to raise ongoing funds for specific projects such as an exterior decking area with footpath to the local marina. We have set up a specific crowdfunder campaign to achieve this goal.
'We want to see the good times roll again at the Oakbank and transform this 160-year-old inn into a real community hub."
Initial signs have been positive with recent 'bring your own beer' events proving to be popular - including a quiz night that got the venue "buzzing" again.
Committee member Sue McKillop (Image: Supplied)
Ms McKillop added: 'The feedback and support has been very encouraging and we're already formulating a programme of events prior to the pub opening 'for real' later this year.
'We also hope to run an American themed night on Friday July 4, Independence Day, to celebrate the key role of the US in the recent history of Sandbank with their navy based here from 1961 to 1991.
'This could lead to a permanent exhibition within the pub that looks back on this pivotal era for the community and would love local people to come along and share their memories and memorabilia.'
The committee has also recently appointed a part-time development officer in Innellan-based businesswoman and life coach Dawn Petherick who will be overseeing a number of key aspects of pub's progress.
Ms McKillop said: "Dawn will have a busy brief! There is a lot to do as we seek to engage with the entire community and we will be reordering the layout of the interior over the coming weeks and months.
'We will set a date for the reopening very soon but, until then, there's a long list of chores to carry out and a lot of boxes to tick!"
