An iconic southern pub and hotel has now shut its doors and will not re-open until Easter next year.

The Bay in Port Erin, one of the most popular pubs in the island during the summer months, will now be closed through the winter because of financial concerns.

The pub was reopened and refurbished by Bushy's shortly after the millennium, after previously being closed for many years.

Talking about the closure, Bushy’s founder Martin Brunnschweiler said: ‘The current tenant Terry Burns recently looked at years of figures over the winter and realised how hard it is to keep it going.

‘It’s lovely inside the Bay in the winter when the fire is lit, and it is one of me and my wife’s favourite places to go - but costs are going up and up and we have to be realistic.

‘The closure is not ideal for Bushy’s either as it is a hit on our beer sales.’

The Bay officially closed its doors on Sunday (October 4), with one final pub quiz in the afternoon marking the end of an era - for now.

Mr Brunnschweiler said that the aim is to re-open the venue in Easter, but that this date could be earlier if any potential buyers for the building come forward beforehand.

‘We need to see if anyone is interested in buying it,’ he said.

‘It needs someone with the energy to keep it going. I feel sorry for Terry as recently there has been a lot of people bringing their own drink and leaving a mess across the road, which doesn’t help.’

Mr Brunnschweiler also confirmed that the darts and quiz competitions held at the Bay will now be moved to the Falcon’s Nest pub.