Administrators for Maclay Group, owns of Maclay Inns, have transferred seven pubs to LT Pub Management as they continue to seek a buyer for the rest of the business.

The Alloa-based company’s directors called in Colin Dempster and Gavin Yuill of EY on Friday.

Five licensed properties operate north of the border under a management contract.

In a statement issued today, Mr Yuill said: “Faced with an unexpected funding requirement, the directors of Maclay Group and its trading subsidiary Maclay Inns decided to call in administrators to protect the business and safeguard jobs.

“The contract for seven managed properties immediately transferred to LT Pub Management. EY will continue to trade the fifteen properties owned by Maclay Inns, plus the five managed properties as a going concern while a buyer is sought.

“The underlying business remains strong and we have received a number of expressions of interest as might have been expected given the esteem in which the brand is held.”

Properties owned by Maclay Inns Ltd (now traded by EY)

Abbey Inn, Barrhead Road, Paisley

The Bank, Clarkston Road, Glasgow

Braes, Perth Road, Dundee

Bull Inn, New Street, Paisley

East Port Bar, East Port, Dunfermline

The Inn, Station Road, Bearsden

Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen, Lansdowne Crescent, Glasgow

The Lee,  St James’ Road, Townhead, Glasgow

Lorne Bar, Stevenson Street, Oban

The Rule, South Street, St Andrews

Southsider, West Richmond Street, Edinburgh

Three Judges, 141 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow

Tullie Inn, Balloch Road, Balloch, Loch Lomond

Village Inn, Arrochar,

West Port Hotel, West Port, Linlithgow

Properties managed by Maclay Inns Ltd  (now managed by EY)

Clerk’s Bar, South Clerk Street, Edinburgh

The Hope, Waterloo Street, Glasgow

Munro’s, Great Western Road, Glasgow

The Raven, Renfield Street, Glasgow

The Wick, Main Street, Prestwick

Management contracts transferred to LT Pub Management 

Canal Station, Stow Brae, Canal Street, Paisley

Clockwork Beer Co, Cathcart Road, Glasgow

Dog House, Balloch Road, Balloch

Dram, Woodlands Road, Glasgow

Laird & Dog, High Street, Lasswade, Midlothian

The Steading, Biggar Road, Hillend, Edinburgh

Wheel Inn, Angus Road, Scone, Perth

An earlier story below was posted on 23 January

One of Scotland’s traditional independent pub operators has called in administrators, putting jobs under threat.

Alloa-based Maclay Group has been in business since 1830 but said it had struggled to find a solution to ongoing financial difficulties.

The 15 pubs and bars remain profitable but administrators from Ernst &  Young will now look for a buyer.

The company was founded by James Maclay in Alloa who in 1870 built the Thistle Brewery, which remained Maclay’s headquarters until 2001 when brewing ended. The company decided to focus on its pubs.

But pubs are closing at a rate of 29 a week and struggling against new drink-drive laws.