Pub run by parents of lottery winner closes without warning

Twelve workers at the Crown Inn, in Monifieth, Scotland, were told at 11am on Monday 7 February, that the pub had closed and was being put up for sale.

They were also informed that there is no prospect of the pub reopening until new owners are found – leaving staff angry and upset.

Gillian Bayford-Deans scooped the whopping £148m EuroMillions jackpot, the second largest sum ever won in the UK, with her then husband Adrian in 2012.

After winning the enormous fortune, Bayford-Deans gave a generous £20m to share between her parents Brenda and Ian McCulloch and brother Colin McCulloch.

However, after frivolously splashing cash on luxury homes, cars and a soft play centre, a bitter feud erupted and they have not spoken since 2015. 

The McCullochs then took over running the Crown Inn less than 18 months ago.

But despite being given a £20m handout, the family called last orders at the boozer, after accounts revealed the company made a loss of £26,676 between 15 September 2017 and 31 March 2018.

Julie Robb, who has worked behind the bar for the past 16 years, reacted to the closure and was told she had been made redundant in a phone call just before beginning her shift.

"There was no forewarning, it has come completely out of the blue," exclaimed Robb.

"I got a phone call at 11am to say the pub is shut and will not be reopening."

Robb added that the pub was "really busy" and "very successful" until the trio took over.

The Crown is owned by David Tassie, but its lease is held by a firm listed at Companies House as The Crown (Monifieth) Ltd.

Tassie explained that if the licence holders have been declared bankrupt then he will begin advertising for a new tenant as soon as possible.

“I was advised by my tenant this morning that he was closing the door immediately," he added.