Case Study: Templehall Inn
Who are Morebattle Community Hub and Public House Limited?
Based in the Scottish Borders, Morebattle Community Hub and Public House Limited is a Community Benefit Society set up in 2024 in response to the local pub, the Templehall Inn, being put up for sale.
Many members of the community had previous experience of community ownership as they had established Morebattle Community Shop (also a community benefit society) in 2018 which is now open and thriving!
The group came together aiming to by the pub through a mixture of grant funding and community shares.
Why did the group come to us?
By the time they got in touch with us, the group had raised £230,000 from the Scottish Land Fund and South of Scotland Enterprise to pay for the purchase of the building.
In order to complete the purchase of the pub, they were aiming to raise a further £75,000. £30,000 towards the purchase of the pub and £45,000 to allow them to to some repairs, maintenance and re-decorating before opening.
The group wanted support with:
- Finalising financial projections in the business plans
- Creating a share offer document to enable investment via Community Shares.
This work was funded by DTAS though the Democratic Finance Scotland Team.
What work did we do?
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Use the business plan to shape a Share Offer Document in line with Community Shares Standard Mark requirements
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Work with group members to finalise financial projections
Outcome…
In the end, the group raised £96,055 through community shares, bought the pub, and had their opening day on Saturday the 17th of May 2025!
Member of Morebattle Community Hub and
Public House Limited
When we set up the benefit society to try to save our village hotel and pub we were big on enthusiasm and energy but short on technical knowledge of how to make it a reality…. DTAS stepped in with support and some funding to make the share offer a success. This included paying for Martin Meteyard’s work on the share offer which was a vital part of getting the whole process right.
Jo, Co-operate Scotland
It was great to work with such an engaged community, and to see how much they were all willing to pull together during the whole process of buying the pub.
I can’t wait to visit!
To find out more about the Templehall Inn:
Follow them on Facebook, or email on morebattlecommunitypub@gmail.com