Three cheers for May- booze
A town’s pub trade has almost doubled as part of an incredible booze boom.
Thristy regulars in Maybole are toasting the upturn in bar business.
It comes as a flurry of new openings lift the town’s on- sales presence from five to eight.
The unprecedented spike follows the reopening of the popular Welltrees and High Society pubs.
Their licences have been revived after prolonged spells closed.
And a new licence for the old Carrick Hotel means more options at the bar for punters.
The Cassillis Hotel, Greenside, Speakers Club, Maybole Arms and Corner Pocket complete the list.
The new trade has been hailed as a welcome boost by community chiefs.
Town councillor Iain Campbell said: “We seem to be bucking the national trend where plenty of other pubs are closing on a regular basis.
“This brings extra investment and employment to the area and is undoubtedly a good thing for Maybole.
“The Welltrees used to have a very good reputation and was particularly popular among regulars for bar lunches.
“The High Society had a great live music scene but then suffered like any other establishment.
“Seeing these places open again is a welcome boost.”
The former Carrick Hotel, renamed the Carrick Bar and Grill, adds the finishing touch to the town’s hospitality renaissance.
Fellow Maybole councillor Brian Connolly added: “It’s good news for the town.
“We’re not going to see a sudden rise of alcohol consumption but what we will see is the footfall being spread around.
“The pub trade is a really tough sector so this is a sign that Maybole has plenty to be positive about.”