The Stornoway premises of the Royal British Legion are up for sale.
Members of the Lewis branch have agreed to market the building after its social club
continued to sustain losses.
The sell-off was announced to members at an emergency meeting at the club and follows
depressed trading hitting licensed premises across the islands.
Secretary Donnie Maciver said the branch had “no choice” and will now advertise the
building for sale.
A one year reprieve failed to turn around the fortunes of the Legion. This time last
winter, members staved off closure to give a new committee the opportunity to try
new initiatives to boost custom.
The separate committee was set up to oversee the social club’s commercial activities.
The local Legion branch itself is not under threat and would continue to operate.
The financial problems are focused at the social club bars operated in its premises
at the Old Playhouse in Stornoway town centre.
The social club has failed to make enough income to cover its running costs.
The deficit was around £3000 every month, approximately £36,000 annually.
A short-lived campaign called Save The Stornoway British Legion attracted more custom
to the club for a period. A series of music and entertainment events were organised
including an Anne Summers Party, DJ night, quiz night, prize bingo and a declutter
clothes-swop party. Many island bands played for free at special events.
However, many advance bookings for functions and weddings dried up as people were
worried their event risked being scuppered if the premises closed at short notice.
Members have suggested the option of relocating into smaller, cheaper-to-run premises.
Stornoway British Legion premises up for sale 14/11/13