A long-standing Lanarkshire pub manager says he is 'devastated' that he has been given notice to leave the business by the end of the month.
The leaseholder of more than 20 years, Drew Ruthven, was working with landlords, Rosemount Inns Limited, on a six-figure refurbishment of East Kilbride's The Salmon Leap.
The publican took over the venue in 1999 with his wife and place the lease on the market last year reports Lanarkshire Live.
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But with landlords vouching to invest heavily in the Calderwood pub three months ago, Drew said he was excited to work alongside them to bring the plans to fruition.
Drew received a Notice to Quit order in November confirming that the current lease would expire on January 31.
However, he claims that a new lease was agreed upon verbally and in emails over a month ago - although no official paperwork was signed - he was told "not to worry" about the notice.
Last week, just 24 hours after discussing future plans for the pub, he was informed by Rosemount that his lease would not be renewed.
The couple received a letter from solicitors this week confirming that the pair must leave by the end of the month or risk legal action.
Drew said: "We are in a state of shock to be honest. We were really excited about the refurbishment plans and had great ideas about what we wanted to do with the place.
"In anticipation of work beginning in a few weeks, we had posted on social media and organised a whole host of things for April and May - from vocalists and acts, quiz nights, drinks promotions, draught cocktails to be installed, and staff training.
"We also had an informal agreement to keep the pub open during refurbishment work, using the function rooms upstairs while the public bar downstairs was closed, and I was encouraged to continue to take bookings and as a result have a full diary for function bookings for February and March.
"There was a meeting last Wednesday and as far as we were aware everything was going ahead as planned. I was ready to sign a lease but many times we have renewed the leases with them 'in good faith' so I wasn't overly concerned.
"Details over an asbestos report had come to light as one of the drinks suppliers wanted this before fitting any equipment. I offered to contribute half the cost of this as there wasn't one.
"We were also concerned over the increase to the rent and uncertainty over utility costs but that is surely understandable in these times.
"But the next day we received an email saying that due to "negativity" on our part Rosemount had decided not to proceed with the new lease and we were out. They have gone back on their word as far as I'm concerned.
"Being negative couldn't be further from the truth and we are heartbroken. I am also going to have to let people down who have booked functions and everyone at the pub is just devastated. I have four permanent members of staff as well."
The email Drew received states that Rosemount intends to close the pub at the end of the month, start refurbishment work and "begin a new marketing campaign to recruit a new tenant".
Rosemount Inns Limited declined to comment.
The solicitor letter sent to Drew reads: "Since the Notice to Quit, there have been negotiations between Landlords concerning the potential grant of a new lease" but "since these negotiations did not proceed to a conclusion, no terms have been agreed for the granting of a new lease".
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