Sharps Bar: Largs pub owners announce venue departure

Nick and Sara Veitch have been involved in the hospitality trade all their lives and snapped up the Nelson Street venue two-and-a-half years ago, after time living abroad in South Africa.

The couple told the News at the time that they had looked at more than 60 different pubs from Inverness to London and drove more than 2,700 miles across Britain before making the big choice.

It was a challenging time to be taking on a bar venue as the country was coming out of the pandemic, but a host of new ideas and events helped transform the venue.

Live music, an Oktoberfest week, comedy shows, and even a Hallowe'en pet competition were among the diverse range of ideas which helped cement the bar as one of the busiest watering holes in town.

Oktoberfest was a hit at Sharps Bar in 2022 when introduced (Image: Newsquest)

A message on the bar's Facebook page this afternoon read: "We want to thank our customers, suppliers and amazing staff, for your advice, suggestions and support and love, but mostly for helping us make Sharps one of the best pubs in Largs.

"We couldn't have done it without you and we will miss you all very much.

"We have had an amazing time and many laughs and some tears, with you all and we thank you for that.

"The pub will continue to be your community pub and all bookings and events will continue as planned.

"Jen, Kyle and our lovely staff are staying on and will continue to look after you.

"We hope some of you will keep in touch and keep us up to date on the goings on in Largsvegas."

"Lots of love to you all."

The bar was given a £5,000 makeover after they initially took over, and an outdoor kitchen serving area was added to the beer garden area, which included a new outdoor barbecue and grill facility.

The couple are moving south of the border and are going to be running a pub in Malton in Yorkshire.

Customers, friends, and supporters have rallied round to thank the pair and wished them the best of luck in their new adventure.

Allan Penders of Filthy White Suit band, who regularly performed at Sharps, said that Nick and Sara were great champions of the local music scene.

In a social media post, he said: "Sad to know you’re moving on you both did an amazing job of bringing Sharps back to life and making it the best place for live music every weekend. We will miss you guys."

Nick and Sara took over the running of the popular pub from another husband and wife team in John and Gillian Sharp, who had run the business since the early 2000s.