Scottish Borders pub The Cross Keys Inn, Ettrickbridge, is up for sale, fresh from a high profile refurbishment and successful reopening.
Back in 2023, owners Rory and Vicki Steel rescued the pub from closure and revitalised it for the community, with a strong ethos of working with local suppliers and brewers.
Since then, this traditional country pub, restaurant and hotel with seven ensuite guest bedrooms has been named Best Pub of the Year at the Scottish Thistle Awards in 2023 and 2024, and been a finalist at the Great British Pub Awards and the National Pub & Bar Awards in 2024.
It has also achieved ‘outstanding’ reviews across Google, TripAdvisor and Booking.com, and fulfilled the Steels’ ambition to put it back at the heart of the Ettrickbridge valley’s community as a place for locals, visitors and tourists alike.
The Steels commented: “Three years ago we set out on a mission to bring the Cross Keys Inn back to its former glory and make it a key pillar of Ettrick Valley life.
“Through the brilliant support of our local team, community, guests and suppliers, we’ve achieved that in ways we could never have imagined.
“It has been a brilliant adventure, and we’ve loved meeting many guests and making many friends as the business has grown, but now is the time for someone else to take up the reins and write the next chapter in the pub’s story.
“It is by no means over for us, and it’s very much business as usual until a suitable buyer is found.”
Christie & Co has been instructed to market The Cross Keys Inn. The firm’s senior business agent Simon Watson said: “The Cross Keys Inn would be well-suited to an owner-operator, family business, or individual looking to enter the hospitality industry, with an excellent, well-motivated local workforce in place who are passionate about their community’s pub.
“The business is in excellent turnkey condition, and we encourage interested parties to get in touch.”
Housed in a 17th Century coaching Inn, the refurbished property is said to blend traditional charm with modern comforts across its rooms and public spaces. It also includes a two-bedroom staff apartment, a beer garden, and customer car park.
The Cross Keys Inn is on the market with an asking price of offers over £500,000.
