A SOUTHAMPTON pub has become the latest Hampshire watering hole to close its doors after the landlord ceased trading.

The Avenue, in Padwell Road, has been locked up and the gates to its beer garden padlocked.

But a spokesman from brewery Enterprise Inns has vowed to reopen the pub under new management “as soon as possible” and are looking for a publican “to drive the business forward”.

The company’s website has already advertised The Avenue as a “charming and popular community pub” that attracts regulars, locals and young professionals.

According to Enterprise Inns’ website, potential landlords would have to pay £24,500 rent a year for the converted cottage under a retail partnership tenancy arrangement.

The publican would also have to find ingoing funds of £11,600.

Regional managers say there is potential to target the student market with the establishment in the heart of the Inner Avenue area of the city.

An Enterprise Inns spokesman said: “We can confirm that The Avenue bar recently closed following the publican’s decision to cease trading.

“We aim for the pub to resume trading as soon as possible and we are actively recruiting for a new publican who can drive the business forward.”