Historic hall offered for bargain price
THE COURIER understands an offer for Kinloch hall, known in Campbeltown as the ‘Guides hall’, has been made and is being considered.
The Lochend Street, B-listed building, designed by Victorian Glasgow-based architect Henry Edward Clifford, was put on the market, at offers over £59,000, with solicitors and estate agents Stewart Balfour Sutherland (SBS) late last year.
Girlguiding Scotland’s county commissioner for Argyll and Bute Christine Lawrence confirmed on Monday that an offer had been made.
Mrs Lawrence added that another agent had been appointed to consider the offer and that it had not been accepted or a closing date set.
In recent years, the hall has been refurbished to a modern standard including central heating, a fitted kitchen with two large ovens, hob and three sinks. There are two separate disabled access toilets on the ground floor.
The main hall has a high vaulted ceiling, triple lancet windows and a hard wood floor, there are two further rooms.
The upper floor has a further toilet and another bright and airy room.
Mrs Lawrence said: ‘It is an old building costing an awful lot of money to run.
‘There are heating and damp problems and whoever buys it will have work to do.
‘Guiding is very healthy in many areas of Argyll and Bute including Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig, Dunoon and Oban but in Campbeltown it is hard to attract adult volunteers.
‘There have been expressions of interest from further away but I was told by the Campbeltown committee in December that an offer had been made and they wanted to accept it.’
The Courier understands that Girlguiding Scotland holds the title deed after the organisation bought the hall in 1979, partly using from the a grant government. of £3,000
Mrs Lawrence added: ‘Girlguiding has appointed another agent to consider the offer. It will be better if the hall is sold.’
Kinloch hall is used by many Campbeltown groups including Kintyre Brownies and Guides. It has been the base for Campbeltown Community Church’s 50 members for the past six years and the pastor, Chris Holden, said the group would be keen to work with any future purchaser.
A spin off from the Community Church, Mainly Music, which runs in the hall on Thursday evenings, has proved very popular and currently has a waiting list.