An award-winning pub and live music venue has announced its shock closure. The Monarch Bar on James Street in Dunfermline, Scotland, had remained shut for at least a week, with speculation circling on social media that the pub could be about to announce its closure.
On Friday (May 1), writing on the pub’s official Facebook page, they said: “Hi folks, I had a meeting with the proprietor this morning who has informed me the Monarch is officially closed. Sad news for myself personally, as it was great being back putting on cracking gigs. The proprietor will be in contact with all of those who have booked parties over the next few days. I wish Irene and her team the best for the future.”
The Monarch Bar was an award-winning, independent live music venue and public bar. Last year, it was named Scotland’s Local Live Music Venue of the Year, according to The Herald.
Despite the statement, it remains unclear why the pub has decided to cease operations. On Google Maps, The Monarch Bar is now listed as “permanently closed”, and its website has been updated with a statement which reads: “Site suspended. Please contact accounts”.
According to Data Thistle, the venue is described as a “traditional pub with pool and darts, large beer garden and a function room for hire for parties, celebrations, corporate events and live music”.
It has an impressive 4.5-star rating on Google Reviews, with one five-star reviewer writing: “Great warm friendly traditional Scottish Public House downstairs with the lounge function suite upstairs, all very close to Dunfermline city centre”.
This comes after it was revealed that nearly 200 UK restaurants are set to shut in a sweeping overhaul, putting thousands of jobs at risk. Hospitality giant Whitbread, the parent company of Premier Inn, has confirmed plans to shut all 197 of its remaining standalone restaurant sites as part of a major strategy shift. The move will see well-known brands including Beefeater, Brewers Fayre and Bar + Block disappear from high streets and retail parks across the country.
If the plans go ahead, nearly 3,800 jobs across the UK and Ireland could be affected.