A LONG-SERVING pub landlord in Galashiels closed his doors for the first time ever on the eve of virus restrictions being introduced.

Salmon Inn owner Ian Calder had always kept thirsty punters well-watered during his 30-plus years in charge - even on Christmas Day.

But the 65-year-old took the difficult decision to shut for the foreseeable future shortly before the formal ban was announced on March 20.

Mr Calder said: “I really don’t know if it closed during the war. There might have been an odd day, but this is new territory.”

Mr Calder, believed to be the town’s longest-serving publican, runs the Bank Street premises with his wife Helen and family.

He told the Border Telegraph: “We took the decision [to close] before the prime minister told everybody to shut.

“We were just awfully concerned about our staff and customers and it’s one of those things that had to be done. We had to shut down for everybody’s sake.”

Mr Calder said he could not bear the thought of visiting the pub the following day, such were his emotions at the time.

“I couldn’t go down to the pub on the Saturday - you just get yourself upset,” said the grandfather.

Mr Calder went on to outline the strength of his devotion to the pub, a business he regards as offering a “service to everybody”.

He said: “Every single day of the year we’re open. Christmas Day is a bit of a joke because I’m the one that’s doing the bar, serving from 12.30pm until 2.30pm.

“I wouldn’t have any of the staff or the family doing it and it’s amazing the amount of guys who come for draught beer before going home for tinned beer.”

Mr Calder is preparing himself for a considerable stint of time off and is currently self-isolating alongside wife Helen, who suffered from sepsis last year.

Reflecting on the pub closure, Mr Calder said: “It’s sad for business and it’s sad for customers because for quite a lot of your customers it’s their day out, it’s their night out.”

The Salmon Inn recently joined forces with Pavilion Cinema manager Andrew Poole to launch a campaign encouraging Borders residents to purchase gift vouchers for use when businesses re-open.

Michelle Douglas, Mr Calder’s daughter, said: “It’s not just me and Andrew - 90 per cent of places now offer vouchers of some sort.”

Ms Douglas added that she expects pubs will be prepared for “one hell of a party” when they return to trading.