The Old Forge, Inverie

[stevepick]

I am sure many here are aware of the decline at the Old Forge over the past years. What was once a vibrant and atmospheric place is sadly reduced.

It is now up for sale, and the local community are trying to arrange a community buyout to restore it to its glory days.

Details here: https://www.theoldforgecbs.org/

[cpedw]

With his connections in high places, Claymore could organise a whip-round in no time I'm sure. It could be a memorial to his connection's dad.

[DaveS]

I've signed up. Information should arrive the day after the election next month. I thoroughly approve of community owned pubs.

[wully]

Who ever takes it on it will doubtless be an improvement over the psycho who was running it before...

[Gardenshed]

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/103193150#/
425K is the asking price.....goodwill and good intentions aside, can it make business sense?

[stevepick]

If the money was being raised from the money market , it might be a difficult business plan, but the Community are trying to raise funds from share sales and crowdfunding. I guess there may be other cheaper funding options open to them as well. When it was run properly ( prior to the current owner ) it was always busy whenever we visited, which was admittedly between may and september, but those times it was often difficult to get into the door , the place was quite literally going like a fair.

[Burst Boiler]

Did it make any money during the glory days? Mobbed in the summer but dead in the winter. Its a tough gig running something like that. I think you can do it for a few years but the reality grinds you down and the initial enthusiasm of working 7 day weeks to just about break even ebbs away. Drift Inn, Holy Loch Inn, the Vicky at Tarbert. Luckily the Oystercatcher are doing better than the odious git who had it before, so it is possible, but needs to be a passion project not a business decision.

Sadly the listing looks like its slanted towards a private residence. Good luck to anyone taking it on, I'll happily support it (if they service the moorings).

Anyone know what happened to Cafe Canna? Heard the couple there were selling up.

[solwaycruiser]

Anyone know what happened to Cafe Canna? Heard the couple there were selling up.

They were advertising for 'enthusiastic staff' in March but of course they could still be looking to sell.

[Mark]

Who ever takes it on it will doubtless be an improvement over the psycho who was running it before...

Has it changed hands in the last ten years or so. I was last there around ten years ago and the Landlord-ess seemed great me - let us use the shower in her house 'cos the one in the pub was borked. (Of course, you could argue that was mad in itself!)

[wully]

Has it changed hands in the last ten years or so. I was last there around ten years ago and the Landlord-ess seemed great me - let us use the shower in her house 'cos the one in the pub was borked. (Of course, you could argue that was mad in itself!)

Some Italian (I think) trustifarian bought it, quickly antagonised the locals so none would use it, beasted his staff and was generally a bully. Allegedly.
Locals set up their own social drinking space. Doubt he’ll be missed.

[Mark]

Ahhh, deffo different people. Shame.