Ardfern Community Buyout of The Galley of Lorne?

[BlowingOldBoots]

I was at Lucy's in Ardfern this weekend having excellent coffee and a fantastic pork and black pudding sausage roll. I noticed in the hallway vestibule a sign suggesting that there was interest in the community buying "The Galley". Is this true, is there a campaign to buy the Galley of Lorne? Interesting if it is.

Does anyone know?

[Gardenshed]

I think that many don't like the recent refurbishment of the Galley of Lorne, and are registering an interest so that if it ever comes on the market, they are ready and waiting with a community buy-out proposal.
concern is that it is sold for housing or other purposes
"This process does not force a sale, it simply is a way of safeguarding the Galley of Lorne as a pub and a community asset should it ever come up for sale."

[wully]

The Galley has been going downhill since the current owner took over and for a lot of people in the village the refurbishment of the bar - which was needed- has totally ruined what was a lively pub and they are voting with their feet.

I’m not sure a community buy out is the best option though...

[BlowingOldBoots]

I think that many don't like the recent refurbishment of the Galley of Lorne, and are registering an interest so that if it ever comes on the market, they are ready and waiting with a community buy-out proposal.
concern is that it is sold for housing or other purposes
"This process does not force a sale, it simply is a way of safeguarding the Galley of Lorne as a pub and a community asset should it ever come up for sale."

If that is the case, it is a very shallow reason to interfere in a private business and a very combative gesture to make. It is presumptuous that the business will fail and will be on the market, possibly reinforcing any community reluctance to offer their patronage to the establishment. Of course, if the owner is in full support, then that's fair enough. Selling the building and land for housing development might be an attractive investment, should the owner decide that hospitality is not worth it.

Tripadvisor is very favourable this year, with good comments and star rating on the food and hospitality and a couple of 3 star reviews since reopening. I think they need to do something about the Iona bedroom! It's a tough time in the hospitality business right now and communities should be supporting their local businesses (and offering opinion to improve, if service is not the best), I would have thought. Looking at the feedback from the owner, I think the old adage "that the customer is always right" needs to be considered by the owner, rather than pointing out where the customer has failed. Polite acknowledgment surely would be a better strategy to defeat the criticism, I would have thought.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Rev ... tland.html

Good luck to the Galley of Lorne. I'll have to revisit as its been a few years and try their offerings.

[wully]

It’s difficult to gain the support of the community when many of them have been barred for the most trivial of reasons...some deffo deserved it though.

I might go along for a beer and see if I’ve been barred for writing this. It will be the second time in 3 years if I do