A FAMILY-RUN pub in Clackmannan is worried for its future as it struggles to secure vital funding.

Catherine McCouaig lost her husband, John, in March and has been keeping the Horseshoe Bar running in his honour.

The 72-year-old has been a part of the business for decades but is currently facing difficulty in applying to Clackmannanshire Council for financial help, provided by the Scottish Government.

The local authority explained to her that as she does not have a business bank account – a mandatory element for the claim – her most recent application to the Business Closure Fund could not be approved.

She had previously been successful in April for £10,000 of funding, but this most recent bid for around £3,000 has been strenuous and is causing her to worry for the Main Street pub.

Mrs McCouaig, told the Advertiser: "My husband passed away very suddenly in March.

"I've been left with quite a bit of responsibility.

"I'm starting to get worried now as after all these years, I wouldn't like to hand the keys over.

"We had just made a beautiful beer garden up the back and the inside of the pub has been done up all nice.

"I wouldn't like to lose it all now.

"The council said that I cannot receive the grant as I don't have a business bank account. I've always ran it from my own personal account.

"I went into the bank as well and they told me that they haven't allowed people to open up a business account since March, due to Covid.

"The man said that they'd go back through my monthly statements and pass that on to the council instead as they would then see my business expenses are on it.

"My daughter, Andrena, has been a great help to me and she's dealing with them now to see if there's another way for us to get the funding."

Mrs McCouaig's father, George Hamilton, bought the premises nearly 50 years ago before her brother, Andy Hamilton, took it on.

He ran it and she worked for him before he decided to sell it.

Mrs McCouaig's daughter Andrena took over and leased it from the new owner prior to her handing the reins over to mum Catherine and her husband.

Catherine said: "My husband didn't like the idea of giving the keys back to someone else as it had been in the family for so long.

"My husband passed away just before coronavirus hit here. I'm still in shock about my husband as it was very sudden.

"I'd hate to lose the bar. I really would."

Clackmannanshire Council told the Advertiser that the criteria for the application is being reviewed with the Scottish Government.

A spokesperson said: "The council is aware that Covid restrictions are having a significant impact on local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality trade.

"The council operates the Business Closure Fund in Clackmannanshire on behalf of the Scottish Government and is bound by the eligibility criteria they have set out, and we are currently reviewing this with the Scottish Government."