A Twynholm pub and restaurant is back in business thanks to a deal between the owner and the live-in caretakers.
The Star Hotel was in danger of closing for good last year after its sale fell through at the last minute.
But, in a remarkable salvage operation, owner Suzie Thorpe teamed up with locals to keep the bar going as a community pub.
The volunteer operation was a hit – and now caretakers Kim and Nelson Coon have taken on the business.
Kim, 49, told the News on Friday: “We had our first night in the restaurant last night and had the bar open too.
“It was a bit hectic finding out where things need to go.
“We had eight in the restaurant and a few in the bar – its going to take time to get the word out that we are open again.
“We are leasing the business for 12 months with a view to purchase because we still have a property to sell in Wales.”
The pub has been run by the Star Community Pub group for the past five months over which time the restaurant had been closed.
Now, having taken a punt on making the Star a profitable business, Kim is banking on a good response from locals.
She said: “We are hoping we are going to get enough support to make it viable for us to continue.
“We want to give the local community what they are looking for – good food and a place to come and socialise.
“Our aim is to make the Star a true community hub. But it is also our home and for us the business is a bonus.
“We would like to make some money. We are not interested in making a fortune and it’s certainly not about becoming a millionaire.”
Kim – McTaggart before she was married – is originally from Kirkcudbright and had a long career in hospitality south of the border before her return to Galloway, with head chef among her job titles.
She joked: “Everywhere we’ve moved we have never been far away from a pub.
“But this is the closest we have ever come.
“Nelson is going to retire from working offshore in the renewables sector.
“It will be a change from laying cables for windfarms and fibre optics!
“We will both be running it but I will be the landlady and Nelson will be in charge of maintenance.”
Kim is secretary of the Star Community Pub collective.
The former coaching inn dates back to 1785.
