THE former owner of a Merchant City bar has spoken of how ‘astronomical’ costs forced him to close his business after little over a year but says he has ‘no regrets’ after handing back the keys.

The Glasgow Times previously reported that Marmalade Skies had announced the news of its closure with plans to cease trading on Sunday, February 26.

READ MORE: 'It's time to go': 'Eye watering' costs force Glasgow bar to close 

Glasgow Times:

It was an emotional night for partners Nicholas Hay, 36, and Grant Cameron, 41, who boldly chose to take a leap of faith in entering the hospitality trade just a short time ago.

Nicholas said: “It was a dream come true to open the place.

“My uncles had worked in the industry many years ago and I would hear stories about them working together which sounded so fun.

“Right from when I was a young child it made me want my own place.”

In keeping with the family values that fuelled his ambitions, Nicholas named his new venture in honour of his niece Lucy whose birth during the 2020 lockdown had taught him to find the silver lining in an otherwise bleak situation.

Glasgow Times:

When Marmalade Skies opened in November 2021 the threat of Covid restrictions seemed to have faded, leaving the duo confident that they would soon be heading into a busy Christmas season.

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Things seemed promising, but 14 months later Nicholas tells us that he could not have anticipated the raft of other obstacles which lay ahead.

Glasgow Times:

He said: “It was the perfect storm.

“Just as we opened Omicron hit which meant one-metre distancing and table services were reintroduced.

“Then, in the new year, Russia invaded Ukraine and energy costs began to rise alongside the general rate of inflation.

“Our energy bill over three months in the summer, in a tiny unit when we were barely using the heating or electricity, was £6000.

“Some of the bigger players in the industry with lots of money and a strong balance sheet will survive.

“But for the wee guy, like me, who is just trying to make a living rather than become any sort of millionaire it’s very, very difficult.

“I do think that we’re going to see a lot more places closing soon.

“The rents, the business rates and the electricity are just astronomical.”

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A walk through Merchant Square, which housed Marmalade Skies, is a clear example of the struggles which Nicholas describes.

With neighbouring unit Monterey Jack’s also announcing its imminent closure, Bar Square stating that it is ‘not currently open’ and others choosing to reduce their opening hours, the mounting pressure on business owners is palpable.

But, for Nicholas and Grant, it’s the local community and sense of camaraderie from fellow bar workers that has made the blood, sweat and tears that went into trying to make their dream a reality worthwhile.

Glasgow Times: Pictured: Pictured: Nicholas and niece Lucy on the final day of trading at Marmalade SkiesPictured: Pictured: Nicholas and niece Lucy on the final day of trading at Marmalade Skies (Image: newsquest)

Nicholas said: “There is a sense of relief and a weight off now that we’ve made the decision to close.

“It’s emotional and don’t get me wrong, we’ve lost money, but I’ve had a fantastic time and met fantastic people.

“I didn’t realise how much of a community there is in the city centre and we’ve loved getting to know the people who came to use us as their local.

“In this industry, it’s all about the people you meet and the friends you make.

“I don’t regret it for a second.”