THE only remaining pub in Helensburgh with a 2am licence is considering closing early at weekends.

The Clyde Bar’s owners published a Facebook post on Thursday night saying that the premises had had to close early due to a significant increase in customers.

The move follows a decision by the Argyll and Bute licensing board last month to impose a restriction on licensed hours at the Logie Baird in nearby James Street – from a 2am closing time to 1am at weekends – along with an 11pm curfew on Friday and Saturday nights.

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The Logie Baird, run by Cara and Milan Nikolic, has since closed completely at 11pm on Fridays, although it remains open until 1am on Saturday night into Sunday morning.

The Clyde, which has a licence until 2am, and a curfew of 1am, on weekends, said in its Facebook post: “Due to a significant increase in customers over the last few weeks there has been occasions in which we have had no choice but to bring forward/impose curfews and on some occasions close the bar earlier than normal.

“We acknowledge that this can be frustrating but we’d appreciate it greatly if you can bear with us at the moment, granting us time to find a way to maintain the Clyde Bar’s laid-back, welcoming atmosphere whilst coping with the pressures that come with being the only pub open late.

“We’d also like to take this opportunity to wish Cara and Milan all the best with their endeavour to have their late licence reinstated.”

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Mrs Nikolic said: “As expected the last remaining late night pub in Helensburgh, the Clyde Bar, is struggling to cope with the fallout of Logie's hours being cut and strict curfew.

“They only have a capacity of 180 and Logie Baird can accommodate 350 customers. It’s no surprise with their 2am licence and 1am curfew, they’re having to take action to control the influx of customers with no other late venue to go to.

“Some of the towns taxi drivers have also told us it’s affecting their takings as there aren’t as many fares to and from Logie’s at the weekend.

“We’d like to thank John and all at the Clyde Bar for their support. We hope they find a way through this and we urge the licensing board to look again at these restrictions and the knock-on effect on the town and its nightlife.”