A NEW bistro and takeaway is set to open soon at the Three Villages Hall in Arrochar, a report has revealed.

The Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust says a local couple has been working on refurbishing the cafe next door to the community facility throughout the latest lockdown, having agreed to take on the lease of the premises.

A report on the prospects for the cafe and the hall – as well as the village’s post office, which is also located within the cafe building – was presented at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond community planning group last week.

In the report, the trust’s chair, Duncan McLachlan, said: “Throughout lockdown we’ve been able to host a mobile post office service which has been operating successfully on Mondays and a good relationship has been established with the Crianlarich postmistress.

"We’re now looking to arrange this service for two mornings a week, Monday and Friday, which will commence soon for the summer months and then be reviewed for continuation over the winter.”

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The hall itself has also hosted regular Covid vaccine clinics hosted by Dr David Troup and his colleagues from the village’s GP practice.

Mr McLachlan continued: “As a consequence of lockdown, the trust has overseen a change in the community café and Post Office, with the manager/postmistress and long-term trust director, Melanie Tonks retiring from her front line role.

“This resulted in an approach from a local business couple who proposed to lease the building and invest in its complete refurbishment, with a view to future operation and integration with community hall events and activities.

“A business plan and legal agreements were drawn up to the satisfaction of all concerned.

“Café refurbishment has progressed apace through lockdown closure and is soon to open as the ‘Cu Mara’ bistro and takeaway.”

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