Work is scheduled to start later this month transforming The Crook Inn at Tweedsmuir in the Borders into a licensed bistro called The Wee Crook after a community fundraising campaign saw the Tweedsmuir Community Company (TCC) agree a deal to take it over in 2012. It’s due to be completed by spring 2022.
Plans were lodged to turn it into flats and a house but local residents fought to buy the building and save it for the community. They have now been awarded a contract for the £600,000 phase one of the redevelopment of the pub which closed in 2006 after more than 400 years of continuous operation – being first licensed in 1604.
Grant applications for initial plans to redevelop the site were unsuccessful in 2016, but enough money was subsequently raised to buy the remaining buildings and surrounding land that led to revised plans over three phases to revive the historic building.
The community is also working on restoring the gardens opposite and the land around the inn.
Phase two will see the development of a new bunkhouse behind the Crook Inn providing accommodation, then the final section of work will tackle the main building itself.