Ancrum's 200-year-old village pub sold to local investors after January closure
The 200-year-old Ancrum Cross Keys in the Scottish Borders has been sold to a local investor collective, which plans to refurbish and reopen the venue.
A Category C listed inn in the Scottish Borders village of Ancrum has been acquired by a group of private investors with plans to refurbish the building and reopen it as a hospitality business.
The Ancrum Cross Keys, which dates back around two centuries, ceased trading in January 2026. Its previous owner, John Henderson, opted to sell in order to concentrate on his agricultural and retail interests.
The Herald reported that the property has passed to a self-described local collective of investors, now incorporated as Crosskeys Property Ltd. The freehold had been offered at offers over £235,000. The final sale price was not disclosed.
Plans for refurbishment and new tenants
Crosskeys Property Ltd has indicated it will carry out refurbishment work before seeking a tenant to operate the pub.
The new owners have opened expressions of interest from prospective operators, describing the property as an opportunity to develop a traditional village pub with scope to expand the business. The pub is back in local hands.
Hotel and leisure consultant Alistair Letham, of property firm Graham + Sibbald, was involved in the transaction. The new owners said they were pleased to have secured the purchase of a pub regarded with considerable affection locally.
What the building contains
The Ancrum Cross Keys sits on the village green and holds a main bar, a lounge, a restaurant, and outdoor seating. A large beer garden at the rear adjoins the Ale Water.
Its Category C listing reflects the building's architectural and historic character, and any refurbishment will be subject to the conditions that listing carries.
Location and context
Ancrum lies a short distance from Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. Rural pubs across Scotland have faced sustained pressure in recent years.
Rising operating costs and shifting consumer habits have hit them hard, and closures of longstanding community venues have become a recurring concern for local authorities and residents alike. Not every sale ends in reopening.
Whether this one provides a durable solution will depend on finding a tenant willing to take on the refurbished premises once work is complete.
This report is based on a single source, heraldscotland.com, and has not been independently verified.