A popular Ayr nightclub has closed its doors to the public this evening. 

Vinyl, in the town's Arthur Street, announced the news to shocked fans on social media on Monday night. 

The venue said it was becoming increasingly difficult to operate a stand-along nightclub in the region, and will now look to focus on larger scale events. 

A spokesperson said: "It's with an incredibly heavy heart that we announce that Vinyl will be closing its doors as a nightclub with immediate effect.

"We have not made this decision lightly but due to the nature of the Statement of Licensing Policy set out by South Ayrshire Council Licensing Board, and the changing nature of nightlife in the post-covid era, it has become increasingly difficult to operate as a 'Nightclub'.

"Since the Licensing Board's Policy Statement does not permit a differential in hours and operations between the various types of licensed premises in our area, unlike most other towns and cities around Scotland, a stand-alone 'nightclub' premises is no longer viable in South Ayrshire.

"We will therefore close immediately and undertake a transition to focus on holding large scale events, working with various promoters and artists, to use the venue as a multi-purpose event space.

"Our first event of this nature will be the outstanding KIMMIC on the 29th of March, tickets for which are currently on sale at www.skiddle.com/.../Subterra-KIMMIC-All.../36719153.

"If you are, or know, a promoter or artist who would be interested in utilising our venue to run events in future, please get in touch with us by emailing enquiries@beatboxleisure.com

"We want to thank every patron, party goer, performer & promoter who have partied with us at Vinyl over the last six years, and we look forward to welcoming many more of you in the future!"

A South Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The Licensing Board took a decision last autumn to maintain the current licensing policy. A public consultation informed their decision.”