Reviving a Landmark: Help Us Restore the Douglas Arms Hotel
At the centre of Douglas, a village with centuries of history and character, stands a building that once brought people together.
The Douglas Arms Hotel has been part of the fabric of this community since the early 1800s. It was once the place where locals gathered, travellers rested, and stories were shared. Today, it stands empty - its windows boarded up, its hall silent. But not forgotten.
We believe the Douglas Arms deserves a future as proud as its past.
A Vision Rooted in Community
Douglas Community Development Company (DCDC) is leading a bold and ambitious project to restore and repurpose the Douglas Arms Hotel. With the expertise of award-winning Page\Park Architects, and the backing of engineers, heritage specialists, and community members, this isn’t just about preserving bricks and mortar - it’s about reigniting a sense of place, pride, and possibility.
Our aim is to breathe new life into the building while staying true to its historic character. The plans include:
- Six guest bedrooms and two self-catering units
- A lounge bar and restaurant
- Various spaces for events, meetings, and activities
- Accessibility upgrades and sensitive sustainability improvements
- A renewed focal point for both locals and visitors
Why This Matters
Like many rural villages, Douglas has seen local services decline. The loss of gathering spaces has taken more than convenience - it’s affected community connection and local opportunity. The Douglas Arms was once the social heart of the village. We want to bring that back.
This project is not just about tourism or architecture. It’s about belonging. About giving Douglas a place to meet, to celebrate, to welcome others, and to thrive again.
Why We’re Asking for Your Help
Restoring a listed building to modern standards isn’t easy - or cheap. While we’re pursuing grants and long-term funding, early support from the community and wider public is vital. Your donation, no matter the size, will help us build the momentum we need to turn vision into reality.
We’re asking for your help to:
- Raise the funds to begin vital stabilisation and repair works
- Demonstrate community support to unlock additional funding
- Share our story far and wide
How You Can Support Us
- Make a one-off donation
- Share this page with others who care about community, heritage, or rural regeneration
- If you have a story or memory about the Douglas Arms, we’d love to hear it
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reclaim a piece of our history and turn it into something meaningful for generations to come.
Help us restore the Douglas Arms. Help us bring it back to life.