A Dumfries pub has fallen victim to the coronavirus crisis.
Shirley Rudd said “a decision was made last week” not to reopen The Fleshers Arms.
The landlady wrote on a social media page: “Taking on a pub business last June was not an ideal time and we didn’t envisage the lockdown nine months in, or the ongoing situation we all find ourselves in.
“I would like to thank Fiona, Sandra and Peter for all efforts made during this very difficult time. I have done everything to prevent this over the months, thank you for all the support, and Tim for putting upwith me.
“You all know how much I love Fleshers karaoke bar. I will miss it very much as will the girls. I never had customers in Fleshers, I had friends and will miss you all very much”.
The closure announcement comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon placed renewed restrictions on the hospitality sector in a bid to battle rising coronavirus rates and curb transmission.
Pubs and restaurants must not serve alcohol indoors and are forced to close at 6pm under the rules.
Outdoor hospitality can remain open for alcohol sales but must close by 10pm.
Trade spokesman Stephen Montgomery, who owns Lockerbie’s Townhead Hotel and the Jolly Harvester in Dumfries, compared the new rules to “being allowed to buy a car but told not to use the brakes, the gear stick or the steering wheel”.
He added: “For businesses outside the central belt, we may as well be closed, we can open but we can’t sell alcohol inside and we have to close outside at 10pm.
“Yet the supermarkets and off-sales are still selling alcohol.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said they “fully appreciate how difficult it has been for the hospitality sector”, adding: “But these restrictions are based on the fundamental need to reduce transmissions, which we know is key to keeping infection rates as low as possible. By taking the tough but necessary action now we hope to avoid even tougher action in future.
“We are doing everything with the powers we have to help businesses.”
Fleshers customers posted messages on social media about how sorry they were to hear of the closure.
Scott Blackley said: “Yet another legendary Dumfries institution comes to an end...sad news for oor wee toon”.
And Ruth Lamont said she was “gutted”.
