Lossiemouth’s Brander Arms pub, on Shore Street, to close its doors
The owner of a pub that has acted as a “community hub” for almost three decades is being forced to shut its doors.
The Brander Arms, located on Lossiemouth’s Shore Street, has become a fabric of the town since being opened by Lynn Mitchell in February 1997.
However, Lynn and her five part-time staff members - who will lose their jobs - were informed at the end of May that the building, owned by Elgin and Lossiemouth Harbour Company, would be sold to raise funds for pier repairs.
The pub will shut on Saturday, September 28.
“It’s a shame because there is going to be nothing left in the town,” Lynn said.
“There have been a lot of sad faces in here and people angry that this is being taken away from the community.
“It’s a family hub. I have folk that started coming here with their parents that are now taking their own kids in.
“People are devastated that they are losing their local. It’s hard for us and hard for the regulars. There is nowhere else that they feel comfortable.
“We get a lot of tourists, too. They are coming to Lossiemouth, but where are they going? There is nowhere for them to go. It’s very sad.”
The Brander Arms has hosted a mass of events in the 27 years it has been open, with many a memory made by Lynn, staff members and pub goers.
“We have done weddings, christenings and had every banner in here from 18th to 85th birthdays,” she said.
“The old fishermen were the first people that came in - three old brothers. I persuaded them - with a dram each - to get their photo taken. The Gault brothers they were called.
“We have done Easter days, Christmas days… when I told one of my staff members about closing her reaction was ‘Where am I going to have my hen party?’ and then “Where do I have my BBQ after the wedding?’
“There have been so many fun things here over the years.”
A personal highlight for Lynn came in 2019, when she was voted Citizen of the Year in Lossiemouth.
With one week left at the Brander Arms, Lynn has one simple request - good weather.
She hopes for a busy bar for the last week, and for a nice send-off for the final day on Saturday.
“A lot of visitors that have been regulars for years and years are coming to spend the last day with us,” she said.
“We have had messages from Australia, Portugal - all over - from people who are sad that we won’t be there when they come over next time.”
