IT was the last pub in the village and it's gone for good after plans to turn the Valley Bar into a Premier Store were approved by Fife Council.

A central fixture in High Valleyfield life for decades, it closed around three years ago and hopes of a new operator coming in have drained away.

Back in May an application to change the use of the Chapel Street pub into a shop was submitted by Chander Shekhar, of Sanya Chaitan Ltd.

It's now been approved by the council with locals told the nearest place for a drink are the Crown in Newmills, 0.72 miles away, or the Red Lion in Culross, which is a mile away.

A planning statement in Mr Sekhar's behalf said: "In an era of high utility costs, payroll expenses and commercial rates, set against a backdrop of changing drinking habits following the prolonged lockdown restrictions imposed by the government, small bar operations now face an impossible challenge.

Plans to turn the Valley Bar into a Premier Store have been approved by Fife Council. Plans to turn the Valley Bar into a Premier Store have been approved by Fife Council. (Image: Google Maps)

"Two per cent of pubs and bars closed in Scotland during 2023 at a rate double that of England which has offered rates relief to the licensed trade."

It added: "The convenience store will sell groceries, everyday essentials and newspapers. Subject to the usual licensing provisions, tobacco, alcohol and lottery sales may be offered."

Rab McKenzie, of Valleyfield Community Council, previously told the Press: "There was a lot of people that used it, people that didn't work, the unemployed and the elderly during the day, it was a busy place."

He added: "It's been open at least 60 years that I can remember and there was talk of it long before that. It was at the heart of the community."

With a concern about the loss of community facilities, the council had sought information on whether there was interest in the premises remaining as a pub.

TSA Property Consultants said they, and another national agent, had both marketed and advertised the property but failed to secure an operator.

The only serious interest came from Mr Shekhar, whose company is now the owner after the pub and the two-bedroom flat above were bought at auction in October last year from Sava Estates.

Future Property Auctions had hoped to start the bidding at £80,000.

In a statement on behalf of the applicant, TSA had added: "During property inspections, we engaged with some neighbours of the property who advised that the property had always struggled as a public house and the locals had little interest in it remaining as such.

"There was a consensus that a 'good shop' would be more beneficial to the area."

Work had already started to convert the premises into a shop, before permission was granted, with the council pointing out this was "unauthorised".

There were no objections and the local authority said the change of use was acceptable.