A SCOTTISH pub has announced its closure in what’s been described as a “devastating blow” to Kilmarnock’s town centre.
Fanny by Gaslight announced its final day of trading on Tuesday, June 25 with a social media post that read: “Sorry, we’re closed.”
Information on the pub’s website also lists it as being “permanently closed”.
The West George Street venue had been used as a pub since 1846, going by different names over the decades such as the Railway Tavern, The Saddle Bar and Fifty Waistcoats.
Known locally as “Fanny’s,” the Victorian-style bar is located in the heart of the town centre and is just a short distance from Kilmarnock train station.
A number of people took to social media to share their disappointment at the sudden closure of the “iconic” venue, which was popular with fans of live music.
“Kilmarnock has nothing much for live music now,” said one user.
Councillor Graham Boyd meanwhile said: “There’s no sugar coating this, a devastating blow to the town centre.
“Fanny by Gaslight was an institution in Kilmarnock, Friday night bands playing there are legendary in the town. It wasn’t always my type of music but I enjoyed dropping by quite often on a Friday evening. It gave rock fans their own unique place.
"A pub with loads of character and original features facing the railway station, is this closure a surprise?
"During the week it often looked almost empty, unlikely to be able to compete with the cheaper chain pubs in the town centre.
"It’s another reminder, where if possible to please support locally owned businesses. My fear is in a few years we’ll only have a few bland chain pubs in the town centre. Don’t use it - we lose it."
