Aberdeen restaurant Smoke and Soul has announced its to close it city centre premises after facing "pressures and challenges."
The Firepit on LittleJohn Street will permanently close after the owners behind the popular eatery faced a difficult start to the year.
An update posted to social media today read: "After five-and-a-half years of Smoke and Soul operating from the city centre, we found ourselves facing very difficult decisions for our business at the beginning of January.
"In 2023, when Six Degrees North closed its doors, we stepped up as the kitchen residents to take on the whole venue as The Firepit, with the hope of keeping a special space alive for our home town.
"We’re incredibly proud that we managed to do so for the past three years, alongside growing our own family and navigating the ever-changing, brutal hospitality landscape.
"With heavy hearts, we can now confirm that The Firepit will not be reopening.
"As a small team, we’re taking the next few weeks to carefully consider how we move forward, so our second venue, The Old Smiddy, will remain closed until we can share further updates.
"Thank you, truly, for your support, kindness, and belief in what we’ve built over the years. It has meant everything."
The team's second venue The Old Smiddy in Bridge of Don, will remain closed until further notice.