The facility has been sold to the Trust at a discounted price under the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) process, meaning that local people with local interest will ensure that it continues to offer what the community wants and needs.

The CAT process had previously been made possible due to South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Board’s announcement that – following a review of its business plan as a result of council funding having been cut by the Scottish Government – it could not sustain service delivery from the facility, leading to control of the premises being returned to the council.

In recognition of the potential impact upon communities, the council then invited local organisations to express interest in these properties through CAT, with support from the £1million Community Fightback Fund and the Renewable Energy Fund to keep facilities open while this process took place.

The Thancard Trust comprises highly-motivated individuals with a diverse range of skills who are already active in community representation through organisations such as the community council.

Members of Biggar Scout Group’s leadership have also been brought into the group, adding new skills and diversifying the membership, all of which has further improved the ongoing operations of the trust.

The sale of the property to the Trust for £9000, representing an 80% discount on its market value, will enable the Trust to protect and build on its current use that includes operating the scout troop and hiring space to local groups for their own activities.

Councillor Davie McLachlan, Chair of the council’s Housing and Technical Resources Committee, said: “This is a true community facility – it will be owned and run by a trust that draws its members from representatives of the very people it serves.

“It is already a valuable and well-used resource and I am delighted that this sale to the Trust will allow it to thrive and grow into the future.”