Community share offer to secure Elie Kirk's future

Elie Kirk Community Enterprise Limited (EKCEL), a Community Benefit Society owned by its members, has drawn up plans to purchase Elie Kirk as a community asset from the Church of Scotland, bringing it into community ownership.

They currently sit just £20,000 short of the minimum required to secure the purchase.

EKCEL aims to raise a minimum of £150,000 to help secure the purchase ahead of the Church of Scotland's December deadline.

With a current funding pot of £130,000, the group is close to reaching its first goal.

There is an optimum target of £300,000 and a maximum of £400,000, which will fund wider renovation works, including new kitchen and toilet facilities, roof and stonework repairs, and energy efficiency improvements.

Shares cost £1 each, with a minimum investment of £100 and a maximum of £10,000 per person and are open to individuals aged 16 and over as well as to organisations.

Alastair Graham, Chair of EKCEL, said: “Elie Kirk has been at the heart of the village since 1639 and has played a part in the life of almost everyone who's lived here.

“This is a genuine chance for the community to take ownership of that history and to shape what it becomes next – a warm, welcoming space for residents and visitors alike, not just on a Sunday, but every day of the week.

“We need as many people as possible to get behind this, whether that's a small investment or a large one. Every share bought brings us closer to securing the Kirk's future.”

EKCEL plans to transform the Kirk into a community-owned café, heritage centre and arts space – a welcoming, accessible venue open year-round for the community to meet, celebrate and take part in creative activities, while continuing to host weddings, funerals and religious services.

The plans were developed following a community consultation in which 92 per cent of respondents said they wanted to see the Kirk retained for the benefit of the community.

The share offer is being supported by Democratic Finance Scotland, a national programme that supports Scottish communities to raise capital for community-owned enterprises through shares, as part of its work backing locally rooted alternatives to traditional finance.

Morven Lyon, Head of Democratic Finance, Development Trusts Association Scotland, said: “Elie Kirk is a brilliant example of what community shares can achieve.

“They put ownership and decision-making directly into local hands, so it's the community itself – not an outside investor – that decides what a building like this becomes and who it serves for generations to come.

“We're delighted to support EKCEL as they invite people across Elie and Earlsferry, and beyond, to invest in their own village landmark, and we'd encourage anyone who believes in local, democratic ownership to back this share offer.”

Information to purchase shares can be found online at https://e-voice.org.uk/ekcel/community-share-offer/.