IT was a very emotional farewell for the owners of one of Glasgow’s oldest pubs as the doors were bolted for the last time.

The Iron Horse, which dates from 1872, is to be flattened to make way for a new, £30million hotel, along with the city’s oldest surviving Italian restaurant O Sole Mio.

The windows of the pub were being boarded up yesterday as all fixtures and fittings were moved out including the brass bar rail.

Jennifer Brooks, who has run the pub with her father Eddie for more than 25 years said the closure would be a “huge loss” for regulars and visitors alike and said there was concern that, “Glasgow’s vibrancy and character is being chipped away.”

It is understood around 20 planning applications are currently being considered for new hotel applications.

Glasgow Times:

 More than 1000 people signed a petition calling for the pub to be saved.

Jennifer said the family were not planning to look for another venue because the pub would be “impossible to recreate" and said it had been an honour to host decades of family celebrations for weddings, christenings and birthdays.

Read more: Historic pub and Glasgow's oldest surviving Italiant restaurant to be flattened for new hotel 

The Iron Horse was previously known as The Empire Bar, which served the theatre-goers and stars of the famous theatre of the same name around the corner, hosting singers includings Frank Sinatra.

In later years the pub was a regular meeting point for the Tartan Army and a farewell party, hosted at the weekend, raised more than £1000 for children’s charities with an auction of football memorabilia.

Glasgow Times:

Jennifer spoke of their pride that a motion had been lodged in the Scottish Parliament, by Glasgow MSP Sandra White, in recognition of the part the pub played in welcoming visitors to the city.

Jennifer said: “Even though this is a sad day for us we will be leaving with so many happy memories.

“The support and kindness we have received in the last few weeks has been extraordinary from our customers and staff, to messages we have received from all over the world, to people who have been stopping us in the street to share their memories of the pub over generations."

Glasgow Times:

“The Iron Horse has been at the heart of the community for years and I hope that they understand what a loss it will be to visitors and ordinary Glaswegians alike.

Read more: Stewart Paterson: 'Don't demolish Glasgow's character' 

“Glasgow is an incredible city and people are very worried that its vibrancy and character is being chipped away

“ It has been such an honour for us to have been the chosen venue for many Glaswegian’s special events – birthday parties, christenings, weddings and civil partnerships – and we know that those memories will live long.

“We have to thank our wonderful customers who have become part of the Iron Horse family. Also our incredible staff who have been at the heart of the Glasgow welcome that we pride ourselves on.

“We are sorry that we have not been able to pass the pub on to a new generation but the landlords are determined to redevelop the site.

“There have been lots of tears over the last few days but we had a phenomenal party over the weekend with regulars and old friends coming in from all over Scotland to say goodbye.

Read more: Glasgow reacts to closure of historic businesses 

"We are leaving with the knowledge that we gave the place a good send off and we are very proud of what we have achieved over the years.”The Blue Lagoon chippy and an independant beauty business have also been forced to close due to the hotel plans.

Glasgow Times:

A visibly upset Eddie, 69, who lives in Newton Mearns, said he had assisted all staff to find jobs within the licensed trade and said he was planning to retire and, "do a bit of volunteering."

He said: “It’s a difficult industry to work in these days, there is so much competition.”