People power and a dash of real ale will be the fuel to breathe life back into a Tayside community.
Like so many rural villages across Courier Country, over the last decade Errol has seen six pub or restaurant ventures fail, its post office shut and local shops close.
A positive band of ‘can-do’ locals are now bidding to resuscitate its fortunes.
Residents Andy Silk, Fiona Ross and Ali and Bob Abercrombie are heading up a working group looking to create a community pub and are already seeking a suitable venue, with talks under way over Victoria Hall on Errol Park Estate.
The last drinking establishment in Errol closed in September and, with the addition of 250 new-build family homes being built, the pressure is on to deliver a focal point for extra families.
“We have been left without a valuable community asset a social forum, a meeting place for villagers and a reason for visitors to come and enjoy Errol,” Andy said.
“I moved to Errol nine years ago and the pub was where my partner and I went to meet new people and get involved in village life, so to think that we no longer have that facility is a real shame.”
Local businesswoman Fiona Ross said it was important to learn lessons from the failures of other ventures.
“We are trying to gauge if we can get investment in this idea,” she said.
“Our aim is to form a successful village pub by listening to the ideas brought forward by the community.”
Experience comes in the form of Ali and Bob who have run the local award-winning cafe at Cairn O’Mohr Winery for the last two years.
“We’ve shown that a successful business can be built by listening and responding to your customer’s needs and by providing excellent customer service,” Bob said.
The tech-savvy group have already been canvassing the opinions of the community via social media and are using that feedback to develop an initial business plan.
Andy said the themes so far include “a warm welcome, friendly staff, a good selection of beers including real ale, an open fire, comfortable seating and affordable pub grub”.
A public consultation will take place tonight at 4pm in Errol Village Hall.
For more information email errolcommunitypub@outlook.com.