A Scottish brewery has announced that its taproom will close next month as the hospitality sector faces 'significant headwinds'.
Edinburgh-based Vault City Brewing yesterday shared a statement on social media informing followers that the firm's Porty Vault bar in Portobello will be shut from early December.
As well as citing the well-documented pressures on the hospitality industry, the team has said that its upcoming move to a new facility in Midlothian has played a part in the decision for closure.
The Herald previously reported that this new project will be seven times the size of the brewery’s Portobello site, where co-founder Steven Smith-Hay and his team first became known for producing “weird and wonderful” flavour combinations.
(Read more: Scots brewery aims to become 'world's biggest sour beer producer' in new home)
A post announcing the closure of the Porty Vault, which is located just 'five minutes' away from the original Vault City brewery, reads: "By now some of you may have heard the sad news that Porty Vault, our seaside taproom in Portobello, will be closing in the near future.
"Porty Vault is a venue our team invested a great deal of time, energy, and passion into but unfortunately, the upcoming move of our brewery to Midlothian alongside significant headwinds for the hospitality sector means we’ve made the very difficult decision to close the bar down.
"This also means that our brewery tour and sour school offering will be on hold for the time being."
"We’re really sorry for any inconvenience caused."
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Anyone with a voucher for a tour experience at the Porty Vault will automatically have its validity extended, meaning that it can be redeemed when the new brewery is operational in Autumn 2025.
Vouchers can also be exchanged for webshop credit while full refunds are also available by contacting the brewery directly.
The team has also advised that The Wee Vault taproom and bottleshop on the city's West Maitland Street will remain open.
"The bar will remain open until December at the latest or such time we are no longer able to staff the venue, giving everyone the chance to enjoy it one last time, and giving our team time to find new opportunities," the statement continues.
"This may mean reduced opening hours in the coming weeks but these should be reflected on Google.
"Some of our Porty Vault staff will be moving over to work at our Haymarket taproom going forward."
Finally, Vault City took the opportunity to thank all of the customers and sour beer fans who have visited the bar over the past two years.
"We will be very sad to close its doors," they said.
"But we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported Porty Vault — from our loyal customers and the local community to our dedicated staff who worked tirelessly to make it a such a warm, welcoming place."
The Porty Vault first opened in 2022 following a successful crowdfunding drive which raised nearly £45,000 from hundreds of small investors.
Steven Smith-Hay, who co-founded Vault City, said at the time: "Opening a bar and smokehouse in the heart of Portobello just five minutes from the brewery itself is an absolute dream come true – but knowing so many people have supported us along the way to bring this vision to life is the cherry on top."
To view the statement in full find the Porty Vault on social media here.
For more information on Vault City visit vaultcity.co.uk.
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