Two popular pubs in Edinburgh, the Stockbridge Tap and Cloisters Bar, are being sold by the Edinburgh Ale Company for nearly £1 million after being in the family company for over 20 years.
Just off Lothian Road, Cloisters lies in a prime location for locals and tourists, especially for those more interested in specialty beers.
Also in a popular location, Stockbridge Tap is a charming, relaxed pub with its own wide selection of drinks.
The family-owned business has also put the Bow Bar in Edinburgh and the Royal Hotel in Comrie on sale.
Christie & Co, the agents selling the properties, have called it an “excellent opportunity” for a new owner to keep up the pubs’ successful business.
“We expected high levels of interest from the outset,” a spokesperson said.
This is not the first shake-up of pubs in Edinburgh in recent times; The Greenmantle on West Crosscauseway temporarily shut their doors in September due to management issues.
“They’ve squeezed the pub for all its worth,” said Grant McNeil, who took over in 2009.
The pub has since reopened under new management, but it has raised questions over management concerns and the changing of pub ownership, which has been echoed from the news of the new sales.
“I’m always sceptical when a pub changes owners,” one student told The Student. “It normally means management has gone corrupt”.
Another raised concerns about the change of atmosphere.
“I really don’t want the vibe of Cloisters to change,” they said. “If it does, I just simply wouldn’t go anymore”.
Members of the community echo this feeling, taking to social media to share dismay at the news.
“I hope they don’t change them much,” one commenter said.
“Cloisters Bar, Brougham Street – geograph.org.uk – 1322013” by kim traynor is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.