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Landlady forced to say goodbye to ‘magic’ Lossiemouth pub after 27 years

The Brander Arms is about to close and be put on the market by its owner.

Lynn and Alan Mitchell outside the Brander Arms pub
Lynn and Alan Mitchell outside the Brander Arms pub in Lossiemouth. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.

Lynn Mitchell first stood behind the bar at the Brander Arms in February 1997.

The 63-year-old had been back home visiting her mum in Inverness when she spotted the opportunity to take over the Lossiemouth pub in her newspaper.

Despite having no experience as a landlady, she jumped at the chance to take it on and has gone on to enjoy almost 28 years serving the Moray community.

Lynn had hoped to spend many more years at the Brander Arms but was “absolutely shocked” to return from holiday in June to be told her lease would be coming to an end.

Lynn and Alan Mitchell pictured behind the bar of the Brander Arms
Lynn and Alan Mitchell are being forced to say goodbye to their much-loved pub. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.

“I’m devastated,” she said. “My first thought was Christmas and New Year – I won’t have that with my customers.

“That’s the time of year we have all the customers together, the decorations, kids’ parties.

“It’s so sad for the community, it will leave Lossiemouth with two public houses as the rest are all bars and restaurants.”

The pub building, on Shore Street, is being sold by the Elgin and Lossiemouth Harbour Company so they can make repairs to the harbour.

Exterior of Brander Arms pub with outdoor seating
The Brander Arms in Lossiemouth will close at the end of the month. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.

Lynn, who runs the Brander Arms with her husband Alan Mitchell, was given 16 weeks notice about the sale.

The last day of service will be Saturday, September 28 which will feature live music and a piper playing the staff out of the pub for the final time.

Brander Arms in Lossiemouth to close its doors

When the pub closes its doors, five part-time staff members will also lose their jobs.

“It’s a family pub, everyone looks after everyone. My son and great-niece work for me, it’s a big family effort,” Lynn shared.

“My youngest son was born here and has been here all his life.”

Lynn and Alan Mitchell standing outside the Brander Arms pub in Lossiemouth
Lynn and Alan Mitchell are “devastated” about leaving the Brander Arms. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.

Lynn and her team have kept the pub going through the good times and the bad times, including the cost-of-living crisis and the Covid pandemic.

They also come together to give something back to the community every Christmas by making hampers for pensioners.

“It has been a magic pub,” she said. “Our customers have been absolutely amazing all the way through.

“It’s very much a community. Younger customers have had grandparents and parents coming here. Some started taking their own kids in so it’s full circle.”

“Wedding parties, engagement parties, birthdays, hens, stags – we’ve had every banner under the sun.”

Alan and Lynn Mitchell with Christmas hampers
Lynn and Alan pictured with some of the Christmas hampers in 2019. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.

The building will soon be listed for sale by the Elgin and Lossiemouth Harbour Company.

The chairman said: “It is with great regret the Harbour Company is having to sell the Brander Arms in order to raise capital to pay for essential repairs and maintenance to the piers, ensuring long-term structural viability of the harbour.

“The tenants declined the offer of first refusal to purchase the building and therefore it will be put up for sale in the coming weeks.

“It will be up to any potential buyer to decide the future purpose of the building and land.”

However, Lynn added she was never given details about potentially purchasing the property or a guide price.

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