A business plan has been created to keep Arrochar’s community hall operating once Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.
The Three Villages Hall and Community Café has had no income from use by community or commercial groups for more than a year.
But an update from Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust has given details of the recovery process for the facility.
The hall details are part of a detailed report by the trust which will go before Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond community planning group on Thursday.
The report also details the village’s mobile post office operating for a second day of the week, and changes taking place in the management of the community café and post office.
Trust chair Duncan McLachlan said: “Fortunately, with government and council business support, the buildings have been secured, maintained and actions taken to create a new business plan, when Covid restrictions will allow re-opening and return of group meetings inside our facilities.
“Throughout lockdown we’ve been able to host a mobile post office service which has been operating successfully on Mondays and a good relationship has been established with the Crianlarich postmistress.
“We’re now looking to arrange this service for two mornings a week, Monday and Friday, which will commence soon for the summer months and then reviewed for continuation over the winter.
“Many villagers in Arrochar, Tarbet and surrounding lochside areas have attended coronavirus vaccination clinics in the Three Villages Community Hall, organised by Dr Troup’s Arrochar surgery team, who have been able to use the vacant main hall, with rigorous cleaning and hygiene measures throughout and following the clinics.”
Mr McLachlan also gave information on progress with refurbishment of the café during lockdown – and its new name.
He added: “As a consequence of lockdown, the trust has overseen a change in the Community Café and Post Office, with the manager/postmistress and long-term trust director, Melanie Tonks retiring from her frontline role and the future of the building reassessed.
“This resulted in an approach from a local business couple who proposed to lease the building and invest in its complete refurbishment, with a view to future operation and integration with Community Hall events and activities.
“A business plan and legal agreements were drawn up to the satisfaction of all concerned.
“Café refurbishment has progressed apace through lockdown closure and is soon to be opened as the ‘Cu Mara’ Bistro and Takeaway.
“The new tenants, made great progress with the kitchen and food preparation area able to provide freshly baked scones and pizzas for a great turnout of volunteers for a large hall recovery group working day on Sunday, April 18.”
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