The award-winning Swan Inn in Eaglesham is to close following an ‘unsustainable’ rents hike.
A hammer-blow to the local community, the news was broken by the pub in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
It follows a tumultuous two years for the much-loved gastro pub, which - as many locals have - has struggled to cope amidst coronavirus restrictions.
After a refurb during the first lockdown, it seemed like the pub’s fortunes had changed, but the restrictions attached to the Omicron variant were another blow for the popular boozer.
Taking to social media earlier this week, they posted: “Unfortunately, with a heavy heart and great sadness, we’re sorry to announce that for the final time we have closed the doors of the Swan Inn with immediate effect.
“This decision has been unavoidable and was taken out of our hands due to the Landlord proposing a major rent increase in our upcoming lease renewal.
“We have tried our very best to continue trading in these difficult times, adhering to all COVID restrictions and we were given the final blow of a proposed rent increase that we can not sustain.”
The cosy 200-year-old plus Georgian watering hole sits in the heart of the village and has become a go-to place for punters from all over to sample its great food and drink.
It is part of the Iona Pubs portfolio, owned by Stefan King who also runs the G1 Group and is reputed to be worth more than £50 million.
Transformed by Marco Sarao and his team, the Swan was crowned best ‘casual dining’ venue at the Scottish Bar and Pub awards in 2019.
That followed on from winning the ‘country pub of the year’ and the much coveted, ‘Sunday Mail Pub of The Year’ in 2018.
Their emotional Facebook post continued: “We would like to thank everyone in the village and around the local area for the unimaginable support over the past six years.
“We have made so many friends in the community and developed such a big family here.
We are devastated to have no alternative but to make this decision due to the proposed rent increase and the effect of the COVID restrictions over the last two years.”
Any gift vouchers for the pub will be honoured at the nearby Auldhouse Arms until July 1 this year.
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