Their near £100,000 purchase of Kirkmuirhill Inn means the thriving group can flit from their cramped accommodation next door.
Kirkmuirhill villagers no longer need an excuse to head for the pub after buying their local.
But there will be nothing stronger than tea on offer as Kirkmuirhill and Blackwood Men’s Shed start work to breathe new life into the disused building.
Their near £100,000 purchase of Kirkmuirhill Inn means the thriving group can flit from their cramped accommodation next door.
The Men’s Shed, who offer activities such as woodcraft and walking, were formed six years ago with a handful of members, but now have 57 signed up.
They have outgrown their small cabins and saw an opportunity when the 140-year-old pub closed and went on the market.
They were able to buy it with the help of a £96,500 grant from South Lanarkshire Council’s renewable energy fund.
The council gave planning permission for a change of use, saying: “This seeks to bring the building back into productive use, allowing people to work on practical projects, share skills and socialise, with a focus on integrating with other community organisations.”
Men’s Shed member Pete Moir said: “The pub did a lot for the community and it was sad when the family running it retired and it couldn’t keep going.
“We didn’t want to see the building demolished for flats and, fortunately, it became available to us.”
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Group members will use their skills to convert the bar and restaurant into areas more suitable for their activities.
But Pete said: “It would be good to keep the original features where possible. I don’t think villagers would want to see too many changes.”
Colleague Graham Stewart added: “The Men’s Shed organisation exists to provide companionship and it’s good that our bigger premises mean we can encourage more people along.
“We hope the building will also have other uses, for example, pop-up shops selling local crafts.”
Alison Brown, the council’s head of enterprise and sustainable development, said: “It’s great that the Men’s Shed will have a base in their community for many years to come. This will be a fantastic asset.”
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Kirkmuirhill and Blackwood Men’s Shed are part of a global network that began in Australia in 1999. There are now thousands of ‘sheds’ worldwide, offering activities and a place to socialise.
The movement has been praised for its positive contribution to the mental health of members.
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