A Wick social club famed for an exhibition match between dart legends Jocky Wilson and Eric Bristow has gone into liquidation.
Francis Street Club & Institute Limited was founded originally as a British Legion Club, but has become a long-establish social, entertainment and sporting venue .
It rose to prominence when Wilson and Bristow agreed to a Scotland v England exhibition match in the early 1980s.
Other famous names to visit include former world snooker champion Stephen Hendry.
Musicians and entertainers have also performed there, and the social club also ran both football and darts teams.
>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The P&J newsletter
But over the years, membership has dwindled and combined with rising costs and cash flow problems, the club has closed its doors for the final time.
Six members of staff have been made redundant, and the building has gone up for sale.
After the committee agreed to close the club late last month, a note was posted on the door telling visitors it had “ceased trading from immediate effect”.
Provisional liquidator, Iain Fraser, a partner with FRP Advisory, said: “Francis Street Club has been a landmark social, entertainment and sports venue in Caithness for nearly 100 years. Sadly, the club has been suffering severe financial problems and liquidation was the only option available to the committee.
“We are working closely with the relevant agencies, including the Redundancy Payments Office, to ensure the staff receive as much support as possible.
“We are now offering the assets of the business for sale, including the building, fixtures and fittings, and would urge interested parties to contact our Aberdeen office as soon as possible on 0330 055 5455.”
