Community ownership of The Lido, Innellan

That this House congratulates South Cowal Community Enterprise and all the residents of the villages of Toward and Innellan on the South Cowal peninsular who, following a two-year campaign and with the assistance of the Scottish Land Fund saved their local village shop and Post Office, The Lido from closure; acknowledges the remarkable contribution from the people of Cowal who raised £68,000 through a community share offer which enabled the business to be transferred into community ownership; recognises the importance of local shops and Post Offices to the sustainability and viability of rural communities; wishes The Lido every success in the future; and hopes that other communities facing the loss of vital services will be inspired by what has been achieved by the South Cowal Community Development Company and people of Toward and Innellan and be encouraged to explore the option of community ownership.