18/08/2025
๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค ๐๐จ๐ฎ
After 4 years in our restaurant and over 8 years since we started, weโve closed the doors at The Pyet for the final time.
Thereโs been so many highlights for us. Weโve absolutely loved running our little restaurant at the heart of the most incredible village of West Linton. Christmas Party nights, Birthdays, Celebrations, itโs been brilliant. From Whipmans, Linton Hotspur, Markets, Community Events and more, we truly cannot thank the people of West Linton and surrounding areas enough for always supporting us. Whether youโve been in once, or you were a regular, thank you. Weโve always tried to give back where we can and we just canโt thank you enough.
Nothing makes us more proud than the fact that since we started in business 131 local young folk have taken on their first jobs with us. Some getting their first taste of work life, some trying to build experience and skills for when they head off to uni and future life, some just wanting to make some money to help fund their social lives. To every single member of staff who has ever worked with us, whether you were here for a few weeks or a few years, thank you. You were the backbone of our business and youโll always be Team Pyet. We wish you the best of luck for whatever you do next.
To everyone else who was involved at The Pyet, thank you. There are far too many people to name, but whether youโve supplied us with your produce, helped fix something, designed us an Ad, suggested an idea, contributed with something, the list is endless, but you know who you are, and thank you.
And to the two most important people. To everyone else, Pauline and Brian, but to me, Mum and Dad. Simply, I couldnโt have done this without you. Weโve argued, made up, argued, made up, and repeated this many times over the years, but you always stood by me. My Dad who went from a shepherd (and still a bloody good one at that) and who had never made a cocktail before, to the best bar tender around. My Mum who without any experience whatsoever, led and created the best restaurant we could have hoped to make. Even in the most difficult of times, when the pressures really mounted on your shoulders, you never wavered. At times you put up with me at my worst, but you always believed in me and supported me. The absolute model any parent could ever wish to be. I love you both.
Anyone thatโs spoken to me over the past few years will be sick of hearing me bang on about how difficult it is. However, I make no apology for saying it again. Pubs and restaurants are the beating hearts of communities. And whilst the people at the top continue to ignore them, they desperately need help. So please, next time youโre out celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, try lookout for your small local independents. Maybe youโve been before and it wasnโt great, go give them another try. Perhaps they just had a bad night. I promise you, thatโs going to help so much more than you can even imagine. Iโve debated for a while what Iโd do with our social media pages now weโre closed. I thought about closing them down, but then I realised what a waste that would be so Iโm keeping them going, and as I go about and try out new bars, restaurants etc, Iโm looking forward to documenting them on here so others can try. Absolutely not an influencer, just someone that wants to see the small businesses thrive. Itโs too late for us now, but if we can help push others forward, thatโs exactly what we hope to do!
Thereโs a lot of people who have asked me in the past few days what will happen to our building. To answer that right now, not an awful lot. Itโs very much still our building and nothing is changing. Itโs still for sale, with a big price reduction now in place in a hope we find the right person(s). West Linton needs and deserves its restaurant, we desperately want to sell it as a restaurant and thatโs what we will continue to push for. Please do get in contact today if youโd like a look about.
For me, as I sit here with tears in my eyes, Iโm excited for a new chapter. Iโve got a brilliant opportunity lined up and Iโm looking forward to getting going. Iโll still be about, and Iโll look forward to catching up along at New Moor Road on a Saturday afternoon whilst getting behind the best local club about.
Until then, thank you and see you soon.
The MacFarlanes.
