The offer will be launched this weekend with an event at the inn on Sunday 26 January (2PM to 4PM).

Further to OCIS being awarded £147,411 from the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) late last year to finance 95% of the purchase of the inn, the community share offer is aimed at raising additional funds that will be used to carry out urgent renovation work.

The share offer, open to all, has a particular focus on its target areas of Sandbank, Kilmun, Kirn, Hunters Quay and Dunoon as per the terms of the SLF grant. A brochure has been produced that will be distributed to all the residents of Sandbank with additional leaflets due to be circulated around the other target areas.

OCIS committee member Sue McKillop said: “We hope to welcome as many local people as possible this Sunday and talk about plans to revive the venue as a genuine community owned hub.

“Brochures outlining the share offer will be on hand to pick up and visitors can reminisce and chat with the OCIS committee.

“We are hoping to reopen the Oakbank Inn before the summer with the share offer due to close on the 15th of March. We had almost a thousand pledges of support prior to getting the SLF funding so we hope that translates into a successful share offer.”

Ms McKillop: “Anyone purchasing shares will be getting involved in what will be a very exciting and progressive community project that is very much needed by the village and surrounding areas.”