An Edinburgh pub that has been in same family for over 40 years has closed its doors for good.
The much-loved Omans, which has been on Peffer Place for decades, shut on Sunday September 11 after a long period offering the community a hub to connect. It was the last remaining pub in the working class community of Craigmillar.
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The local boozer had a steady flow of regulars, whether it was residents from the area or workers from the brewery across the road in the 60s, 70s right up until the late 80s. Drybrough & Co was a brewery in Craigmillar between 1895 to 1987. Members of the Drybrough family had been brewing beer in Edinburgh since before 1750.
In 1892 they moved to a new factory at a greenfield site in Craigmillar, designed by Robert Hamilton-Paterson. The local beer factory employed hundreds over the years and many spent their free time in the pub.
In more recent years many older men from the area, who have now retired, also frequented the pub for company and to play dominos with friends throughout their post work years. This will be a huge loss for the community as it is the last boozer in Craigmillar to close.
The family who own the bar shared the sad news on Facebook, writing: "Well after 40+ years in the family we are unfortunately giving up Omans.
"It’s had its great moments, sad moments and bad moments also but we absolutely loved it! This weekend is the final weekend here with us why not come along and celebrate the good times with us this Saturday."
The Peffermill pub closed for the final time on Saturday September 10 after decades of providing a local community hub for families in and around the Craigmillar area.
The pub will be greatly missed by the locals with many sharing how much the local meant to them and their families. Mandy Purves said: "My wee grandad loved his Thursday nights in here, sad to see it come to an end.
While Summor Prentice remembered the pub that her grandad loved. She said: "My granda John “Jock/Joke” Fleming who lived on Craigmillar Castle Avenue used to drink here practically every single day from the late 80s until 2019 when he became unwell. Would be interesting to see if anyone remembered him. End of an era. Sad day for Craigmillar"
Local resident Sandra Lambert Alexander exclaimed: "That’s a shame it’s a working man never know it not to be there a lot of elderly men go there for company and dominos."
Many agreed and fondly remembered afternoons and early evenings spent playing dominos in the pub. Jim Foy said :" My dad played dominoes there last the 50's".
While many found love in the local pub. Maggie Mcdonald-fyvie said: "I met my husband there" and Catherine Mclay did too, writing: "I met my husband in Omans nearly 35 years ago."
Celia O'Donnell said: "My uncle Harry and auntie Margaret Gray used to run it. It was my dad and my brothers local ,they worked in Drybourghs Brewery and went in for a pint after work . I was a barmaid in Omans when I was 18 saving up to get married so worked there part time . We stayed in Craigmillar Castle Road.
Kate Steventon shared a picture of her dad who often frequented the boozer. She said :"Well that's so sad. I've known Omans since I was a kid. My dad and mum worked in Drybroughs brewery.
"My dad would have a pint with his pals after a two till ten shift and sometimes a six till two shift. A hard worker. After losing his job aa turner/engineer, he became a Dreyman.
"Unloading kegs from a lorry one day, one dropped on the back of his neck and he was never the same. He was never qualified for this job. He was medically retired after that.
"That was around early 90s. Unfortunately my dad had cancer aged mid to late 50s and dies at 60. No age. He loved his job, the people he worked with and Omans was always a meeting point for them. Such a shame."
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Most locals were devastated to see the last pub in the Craigmillar and Peffermill area go. Michelle Lawrence said: "Thats a shame its closing only pub in that area thats still up and running and it's due to all this s*** in the world it's having to close its doors."
Reportedly the pub may be available to let soon and is described as: "A corner tenement property in a densely populated suburb on south side of Edinburgh which is a well established local business and has steady trade with regular clientele." You can find out more here.
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