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A UK pub that has been open for close to 300 years has shut its doors for the last time, much to the disappointment of locals. The Old Kings Highway in Aberdeen made the announcement via social media last week, and a slew of comments poured in. The Old Kings Highway, situated on The Green, opened in the 1700s and has stood the test of time until now, as its owner says things like roadworks have led to a reduction in footfall.

"This morning we were due to finalise the details of a new multi-year lease for OKH as our current one is about to expire," the shock statement reads. "But instead we have decided to put our notice in and our time at the venue will now come to an end as we shut the venue this afternoon." The statement went on to thank the DJs and staff who have served and entertained at the pub over the years. John Wemyss, who took over the Old King's Highway nine months ago, has said closure signs, gates, and parked lorries at the Back Wynd stairs have driven customers away.

The historic pub, which is said to have opened in 1741, had only gone through a refurbishment in 2025 and reopened in April last year. His company, Granite Group, have decided to shut the pub as a result of the drop in visitors.

Aberdeen City Council had recently said it was "working with businesses to keep them updated on the programming of works and to facilitate access while the works are ongoing" and launched its Open For Business Campaign.

Mr Wemyss told The Press and Journal: "The main decision to not go ahead with the multi-year lease was due to the Union Street works. It just killed all the footfall, totally. It just didn't make commercial sense [to renew the lease].

"The risk outweighed the reward."

"The stairs, specifically just for the Old King's Highway, are vital for the footfall to connect the Green to Union Street - and now it's a ghost town," he added. "People think that if you walk from Barclays Bank and you see the barriers, you just think, 'well, I'll not bother going there.'

"When you get to the top of the stairs, and you just see the fencing - why on earth would you support anything there? You would think it's completely shut."

The Old King's Highway was the oldest operating pub in the city of Aberdeen until it shut. North East MSP Liam Kerr described the closure as "a sad day for the social fabric of our city centre".

"We have lost another place in history that has helped shape Aberdeen for centuries," he said. "This devastating announcement is yet another blow to the city centre and follows the closure of several other hospitality premises across Aberdeen so far this year.

"Pubs like the Old King's Highway are the lifeblood of our city, and I hope a new leaseholder can be found.Similarly to Union Street, businesses located at the Green have been starved of footfall by the council's deplorable decision to implement permanent bus gates and LEZs in the city.