A POPULAR Scots pub has announced its shock closure – leaving punters gutted.
The Westwood Bar, Functions Suites and Garden, located on Redcliffe Drive in East Kilbride, took to social media to announce the sad news on Tuesday.
The bosses of the boozer wrote: “It is with the most sincere regret I would like to inform you all that with immediate effect the Westwood bar has closed its doors.
“I would like to thank every one of our patrons for their continued support and friendships over the years. It’s a very sad day.
“Anyone that had bookings for functions will be contacted in due course.
“Once again thank you for your support over the years.”
Gutted locals flocked to the comments to react to the disappointing news, with many sharing their memories of the pub.
One said: “I feel for the staff with the sudden job losses. It’s been a community hub basically for so many years for so many people.
“Hopefully someone takes it over as a pub still.”
Another said: “Have been drinking here for a few years and even given a few shifts when I needed them between jobs. A real community pub!
“Fingers crossed this is only a temporary situation and the pub is back open again soon.”
A third added: “The first pub I had a pint in when I moved to East Kilbride. Sorry to see this.”
A fourth weighed in: “I’m so sorry to read this, it’s very sad. Such a lovely venue and staff who have always been so kind to me and my children when I’ve been working on parties here.”
It comes as Scotland’s hospitality and retail sectors continue to struggle with both businesses and punters feeling the squeeze from rising costs.
The industry was hammered by closures during the Covid-19 pandemic and was immediately dealt another blow by supply issues and the cost of living crisis.
Popular pub chain Whitbread is set to axe over 200 locations in a major shake-up for the firm.