COMMUNITY group put in their bid for the Clydesdale Bank building in Main Street, Neilston, after it shut down.

Space To Live had been active in improving the village and surrounding area as well as laying on a two-week festival Neilston Live in 2005.

In 2006 they met with senior bank staff last week to explore the possibility of making a bid for the building, which was due to close on February 21 2006.

Bank bosses set a deadline of the end of March to allow the group time to get funding and business plans formed, so they can table a bid.

Treasurer Katherine Wainwright said at the time: “This is extremely helpful and we are on the case already — there are a number of lenders and grant-makers out there and

Scottish Executive policy encourages social economy organisations like ours to acquire assets.”

Space To Live chairman Alan Walker tried to assure locals that they will have an input as well as business accommodation to generate some income.

The building would later go on to become The Bank, home of the Neilston Development Trust.