As revealed in the Piper earlier this month, locals were left confused and angry after the Midmar Inn closed its doors without warning or explanation on September 3.

Partners David Cooper and Debi Begg, who run the establishment, went on holiday to Europe a few days later. Despite the couple now being back at the pub, locals are still no clearer as to what will happen to the inn.

Concerns had been voiced that cash raised at a series of charity events organised through pub had not been distributed to local worthy causes.

However, Ms Begg this week contacted the Piper to confirm the pub had indeed ceased trading but that charity monies raised would be distributed among local charities and community groups.

Mr Cooper and Ms Begg said: "As the Midmar Inn has now ceased to trade, we have gathered together all the charity monies raised by customers and staff over the last 15 months. The total came to £4,785. We have rounded this up to £ 5,000."

The letter goes on to say that in the three years they had had the Midmar Inn, customers and staff had raised in the region of £10,000.
When contacted by the Piper on Tuesday, Ms Begg refused to elaborate on plans for the inn's future, but said: "When we're ready, we'll give you a call."

Local resident Margot Kennedy said: "They told me on September 3 and a number of other regulars that it was closing permanently and that it was going to become a private house.

"I hope they've had time to think again. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than if they opened it up again as a pub. I understand there are people interested in buying it as a pub and reopening it."

Mrs Kennedy has started a petition, objecting to any change of use of the Midmar Inn, which she said had already been signed by hundreds of people.

She said if the couple applied to change the use of it to a pub, locals would "fight it as hard as we possibly can."

"If they don't want to run a pub themselves, they should put it an the market and give somebody the chance to reopen it," she said. "Once the pub's gone, there won't be another. All we'll be left with is the school, hall and church.

"It's the community interaction you are losing as well. People that live in the cities or towns don't realise how badly the countryside needs these facilities."

Regulars at the pub, which was originally a shop but which has been an inn for more than 100 years, are concerned it will never re-open and they will be left without a local.

Mrs Kennedy said: "I think there might've been better ways of handling it. It could've been handled more tactfully and diplomatically.
However, it is their property and they have the right to decide what they want to do with it.

"I don't want it to get personal and I hope it doesn't."

The couple took over the inn - which has a 35-seat restaurant and lounge, bar area and pool room - in October 2004. Their intention at the time was to build on its reputation as a real ale pub. They also hoped to attract new custom from Aberdeen.