Knoydart pub (The Old Forge, Inverie) - community share offer

[wully1]

35 years in and around the Hospitality sector

Claysie, don’t be coy - you’ve been getting blootered in boozers longer than that.

 

[claymore]

Claysie, don’t be coy - you’ve been getting blootered in boozers longer than that.

 

[seivadnehpets]

Community pubs in regular villages might be a different kettle of fish, they might be viable as a business, but the cost of the premises is generally prohibitive. This pub is different, I would imagine the premises, in normal times to sell cheaply, but the income is marginal, and rotating stock off season will be a headache.
The obvious solution would be to close most of the off season, but that is often the beginning of the end.
They might also sell to an enthusiast retiree, with some contract that he must open so many months of the year, and can't sell for profit??? But I guess it is all dependent on good will.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

It’s all in their business plan. It is possible that once bought the actual overheads are manageable with a modest turnover. Also, there are holiday homes that are occupied all year, large 8 bedroom affairs. There is a steady demand. The issue has been the pub converted to a restaurant, which was a shit idea, as it limited clientele just by being the type of restaurant it was.

Personally, I think it will work, I think the overheads will be low enough to survive leaner winter months. It needs a pub and pub grub.

 

[pandos]

Inverie does have a really nice hostel, but it is a little remote from the pub, and not busy enough off season to really feel welcoming to odds and sods like myself, (money in honesty box sort of thing). I think some sort of tie up between the pub and hostel could help enormously.
I have been through several times but never stayed the night, and consequently only visited the pub once, and on that occasion I set out on the path towards Glenndessary at about 8.30pm. Not a good idea, don't ask!

Did you meet cows with really big horns...if so I've been there and done that aso??

 

[seivadnehpets]

Did you meet cows with really big horns...if so I've been there and done that aso??

You'll regret this!
I'd been waiting in the pub for a phone call, should have stayed at the hostel. I'd left all my gear in the bothy at the head of U. Loch Nevis, including my bedding, and I'd made a day trip to Mallaig via the ferry from Inverie. As I set off in the last evening light, I passed the estate bothy not far up the track, couldn't help sniffing around the back, and found a small window open.
I got in and had a good look around. It was great, loads of logs for the stove, and a full set of crocks, glasses and irons for a party of 12. But noo bedding!
By the time I left, it was proper dark, I had a full pack of food, drink, and nit much besides, and the pass goes up to 550m with a well cut zigzag decent to the ruins at Carnoch. I knew it well else I wouldn't have chanced it, but I didn't count on how dark it could get. I was almost feeling my way along the path, but also straining my eyes so hard that I began to have hallucinations on the way down. I could see the ruins whenever and wherever I wanted to, and then falling autumn leaves, even though it was April. I could hear bagpipes as well!

 

[wully1]

It’s all in their business plan. It is possible that once bought the actual overheads are manageable with a modest turnover. Also, there are holiday homes that are occupied all year, large 8 bedroom affairs. There is a steady demand. The issue has been the pub converted to a restaurant, which was a shit idea, as it limited clientele just by being the type of restaurant it was.

Personally, I think it will work, I think the overheads will be low enough to survive leaner winter months. It needs a pub and pub grub.

And they already have a record of successful community schemes..