A favourite haunt for many, the widely popular Andrew’s Bar, located in St George’s Bay, will be closing its doors after a staggering 112 years in operation.

Andrew Chirchop, who owns the family-run establishment together with Simon Chircop, took to social media to say:

“And that marks the end of an era in which I was practically born in. Worked there [Andrew’s Bar] for 17 years (managed it for 12). Together with my family and staff we made a place where other people also called it home.

“Unfortunately, all good things must end and we must move forward. From the bottom of my heart I thank all clientele as without you we wouldn’t have had this opportunity. And I would also like to thank all the staff for their role in making Andrew’s Bar ‘the place to be’.”

In comments Mr Chircop supplied to the Times of Malta, he cited the pandemic and being at the centre of major construction works as having led to the decision to close.

The bar and restaurant, along with others in the industry, sustained heavy losses in 2020, while the scale of development surrounding the property would mean the business would be surrounded by cranes and dust for years to come, he said.

Andrew’s Bar has seen five generations of the family, starting with the original Andrew who was a tailor for the British Army and saw an opportunity to set up an establishment serving soldiers based in the vicinity.