IT'S last orders for a Kincardine pub after plans were lodged with Fife Council that would see it converted into a house.

The Auld Hoose, on Forth Street, looks as though it has said cheers to the beers for the final time after the owners of the property decided to seek "alternative financially-viable" uses for the bar.

A category 'B' building listed in 1972 that sits within the village's conservation area, the property was originally two cottages before it was turned into a pub, and has been run by its present tenant landlord for 16 years.

However, the impact of coronavirus, and the social distancing measures that would need to be put in place when bars and restaurants are given the go-ahead to re-open by the Scottish Government, have played a significant part in the decision to close.

A design statement, on behalf of applicant Stirling Brewery Ltd, read: "The existing public house is entirely run as a wet-led licensed premises with very limited kitchen space, which would not easily allow for food operations.

"The existing tenant landlord of the pub has been running the premises for 16 years and throughout this time the hospitality industry has drastically transformed, with the introduction of a smoking ban in 2006 and reduced drink-drive limits in 2014.

In particular, these new regulations have impacted heavily on the financial viability of solely wet-let public houses.

"At present, we are currently going through the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced all non-essential businesses to close under lockdown procedures. As we slowly come out of lockdown to return to normal, we are forced with a phased return. There are four phases prior to normal operations resuming, with uncertain timescales.

"Presently, we are just entering phase one, however, the Auld Hoose is not permitted to open until at least phase three, which permits pubs to open indoor spaces with physical distancing.

"Unfortunately, due to the physical size of the premises, this will only allow for a small number of customers, which will impact further on the financial affordability of this pub.

"For these reasons, the property owners are seeking alternative, financially-viable uses for the property to avoid the building potentially becoming derelict in the future."

Under the plans, which were submitted on June 2, a three-bedroom house would be created, with external works such as new windows and a new roof being carried out to match the existing style of other nearby homes.

The applicant added: "The proposed development will create a family dwelling house within a building which currently is in a relatively poor state of repair, due to the financial viability of its current use.

"The proposed works offer a rare opportunity to restore a B-listed property with sensitive minor alterations and protect it for the foreseeable future."