Thursday January 29th 2026
Longniddry Inn
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Customers at an East Lothian village pub can look forward to some extra drama after licensing bosses gave the green light to a local theatre group performing in it.
The Longniddry Inn applied to add the use of its function suite for rehearsals and permission to put on shows to its licence after being approached by the village’s local drama group.
A meeting of East Lothian Licensing Board this week heard that the pub, which was taken over by Renee Sarbach last year, was an important part of the community and had a reputation as a family friendly venue.
Her representative Niall Hassard told the board: “They (the pub operators) are keen to open up the premises to the community as much as possible.”
The Longniddry Inn has been part of the village for more than 50 years and its premises was once home to the local blacksmiths and workers cottages.
Councillor John McMillan, licensing board member, welcomed the addition of theatre use to the pub saying the community has grown in recent years with new housing bringing more families to the area.
He said: “I certainly support this, given the developments in Longniddry, the new estate and growth of population it is good to see. It is good for the inn and the people running it.”
Fellow board member Councillor Fiona Dugdale added her support saying: “It is really good to hear about a drama group taking place in these premises.”
Councillor George McGuire, board chairperson said he had been told there had been a drama group which had been based at the inn in its past.
He said: “It is great to see these things being resurrected especially with the growing population down there. It is something new and exciting for people.”
The application to add theatre to the licence was unanimously approved by the board.
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