Responding to the government advice yesterday (16 March) urging the public to avoid bars and restaurants due to the ongoing spread of coronavirus, The Hug and Pint had cancelled all listed shows and closed its doors.
Due to the sudden closure, the popular pub has set up an online hardship fund to support staff via a Crowdfunding pages.
An official statement from the venue reads: "As always, the safety and health of staff, customers, artists and all others is of the utmost importance.
"However, this incredibly difficult decision has not been made lightly, and our focus now needs to be on protecting the future of the venue and doing our best to ensure staff welfare.
“With this in mind, we will set up a hardship fund for staff to support them while the venue is closed. All funds raised on this page will be used to support staff financially while trying to safeguard and protect the future of the venue.
"With any luck, we can soften the blow of the forthcoming challenges for our staff, and keep ourselves afloat long enough for there to be a business and jobs for staff to return to."
The venue is encouraging everyone in the community who is able and willing to show their support - and wants to play a part in safeguarding the future of The Hug and Pint - to donate generously to the fund.
In return, donations will be rewarded with Hug and Pint-related items and other incentives for larger donations, should donors be able to help.
This will include Hug and Pint merchandise, limited edition posters, concert packages and other unique items.
For more information and to donate, please visit the Hug and Pint website.
This news comes as a raft of Scottish hospitality businesses announce temporary closures or takeaway services in an attempt to weather the coronavirus storm.
The Hug and Pint food and drink can still be enjoyed at home, as the team have launched a home delivery service - The Hug at Home.
The delivery service, which will be available seven days from 12-10pm, will provide freshly prepared classics from The Hug and Pint menu, along with quality beers, wines, cider and soft drinks for delivery across Glasgow, from their award-winning West End kitchen on Great Western Road.
This new service, which launches today (17 March) from 5pm, has been set up in order to raise money to directly financially support Hug and Pint (and related) staff who are out of work during the venue's current closure.
Dishes such as szechuan tofu, black pepper aubergine, sweet soy and coconut tempeh, can be ordered online via phone at: 0141 331 1901.
An online petition has gained over 90,000 signatures urging the government to provide support to the industry after Boris Johnson's advice to 'stay away' from bars and restaurants.
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