Ayton Community Pub Group

Aim

Small group of local residents who came together with a shared goal of re-establishing a traditional pub in the village for the community.

For generations, pubs have been more than places to eat and drink. They are where communities meet, friendships grow, local traditions thrive, and visitors experience the character of a place. The Ayton Community Pub Group in the Scottish Borders has come together with a simple but ambitious vision: to bring the former Black Bull pub back into village life as a community-owned pub, safeguarded for future generations. The aim is not simply to reopen a building, but to create a lasting social asset that strengthens the community and restores an important part of Ayton’s identity.

Community Ownership, Community Benefit

By placing the pub in community ownership, the asset can be protected in perpetuity and managed for the long-term benefit of local people rather than short-term commercial gain. The intention is to create a welcoming, financially sustainable venue that serves residents, supports local events, attracts visitors, and contributes to the economic vitality of Ayton and the surrounding area.

More Than a Pub

A successful community pub can become a hub for village life. It can provide a welcoming space for families, local groups, clubs, celebrations, informal gatherings and visitors discovering the Scottish Borders. It can create opportunities for local suppliers, employment, volunteering and community activities, while helping reduce social isolation and strengthening community connections. The vision is for a vibrant venue that reflects Ayton’s character, celebrates local heritage, and provides a shared space where people of all ages feel they belong.

Community-owned. Community-led.

The intention is to create a business model which will generate income from the whole building, including the accommodation above the pub. A small group of volunteers has made strong progress in preparing to set up a ‘Community Benefit Society’ (CBS) to own and operate the pub and apply for full charitable status. A community survey is underway to gather views on what the community wants from their pub and how they might help to make it a reality. To date, more than 100 community members have signed up to support the initiative and over 70 people attended a public meeting in August about the project. Fundraising plans are in development to purchase the building and get it ready for opening. These plans may include crowdfunding, applications to grants and foundations, and the issuing of shares by the CBS.

An Opportunity to Build Something Together

This project can only succeed with the support, ideas and enthusiasm of the community. The Ayton Community Pub Group is inviting residents, former residents, local businesses and friends of Ayton to help shape the future of this important village asset. Together, we have the opportunity to create something that will serve the community for decades to come.

The Possibility..........How the pub might look at the end of the project

How much will this cost?

Upwards of £250k - combination of purchase, immediate and longer term renovation costs:

Phase One

• Purchase Cost
• Finance Costs
• Legal & Professional Fees
• Renovation of pub - exterior & interior

Phase Two

• Renovation of flat

How will we fund this?

Our aim is to deliver the project through a combination of Funding & Fundraising.

More details are available on our website, including a link to the resources we presented at our first public meeting and a link to our public survey where people can share their insights and feedback: Ayton Community Pub Website

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 2nd January 2027 at 10:52pm