June Newsletter – 30th June
NACBS have refocused our efforts to support the Lochranza County Inn (LCI) team. This is to ensure that new management is found to replace the imminent departure of Craig and Heather who will leave in mid July for opportunities elsewhere on the island. We would all like to thank Craig and
Heather for successfully opening the Inn and the kitchen to supply a much needed hospitality venue for visitors and locals alike.
Meanwhile a new chef, June, has joined to support the extended menu in the Bouguille bar accompanied by two further chefs to ensure meals are supplied at lunchtime as well as the evening. Beth has been joined by Peter in the front of house roles alongside Catherine and Michael as kitchen porters to ensuring a welcome face to those who have been able to visit the Inn. May and June proved great months for a steady stream of customer, however between the school holidays and the change of weather, everyone seems to have disappeared for the moment. Let us hope the tourists return with settled weather.
It is the intention of NACBS and LCI to appoint either a temporary management team or ideally if found a new management team. A recruitment team formed jointly of NACBS and LCI are working with an agency to deliver this end. Meanwhile on the development of the hotel, many small repairs have been made which were requested when the hotel was audited. Those who have been in the bar, may have noticed the second till appearing in the bar, our struggles with broadband speed delayed this until now and impacted speed of customer service. We remain to get the accounting system streamlined as was promised on delivery that is now due within the next couple of weeks. We are very grateful to Arran Electrical and Refrigeration for finding time in the recent heatwave to install a new cellar cooling system. The new unit ensures that our kegs are kept at a chilly 3 degrees. Work has started on relaying the outside steps and patio to make it flatter, safer and more visitor-friendly. We will also be installing anti-slip nosing and lighting down the steps. Quotes are being sought from local tradespeople to install commercial boarding in the dry store. This is above and beyond requirements from our recent Environmental Health visit, and will go some way to future-proofing the operation of the Inn. Some small but persistent leaks in the roof have been plugged, with repairs made around two of the chimneys. At the other end of the chimney, a survey was carried out on the stove in the bar, and we are all set for the new one to be fit in early August, ready for the first autumn chill. Finally, the plans for the second floor have now been agreed with our architect. The drawings, which include changes to the wooden ramp from the first floor, will be submitted as part of a building warrant application in a few days. It is a sign of the commitment of the LCI and NACBS volunteers, that while several members have been absent over the last 2 weeks, other members rallied round to ensure support was provided to address the current challenges.