A PUB in the heart of the community has been given just over a week to close.

The Stile just off Burgess Road on the University of Southampton's Highfield campus has been given just 10 days notice to close after Greene King decided not to renew the lease which has sent shockwaves amongst locals.

Consequently, the area manager called the staff in a private meeting on Tuesday in which they were informed of the closure immediately.

One anonymous source said: "The pub has been given 10 ten days notice to close which is a real shame because it is a pub in the heart of the local community.

"It is a very popular student pub that is attended by locals and foreign students and also a strong mix of locals, many of whom have been there for years."

Another anonymous source told the echo: "Everyone looks after each other here, we are one big family.

"We are now going to be at a loss with no local to go to, I've been drinking here for 20 years."

The Stile is the third and final pub around the Highfield area to close following the Gate and the Crown and Sceptre pubs several years ago.

Greene King, the pub's owners admitted it was a tough decision but could not confirm exactly when the pub would close.

A spokesperson for Greene King said: “As a leading pub operator and brewer, we are committed to running high-quality community pubs.

"To be able to continue to invest in our estate, from time to time we have to make difficult decisions and on this occasion, we have agreed to handover our lease at The Stile to the University of Southampton."

The company added that there would be no redundancies with all staff being transferred to other Greene King pubs in the company.

A University of Southampton spokesperson said: "The University of Southampton will shortly be taking over management of the building on the corner of Burgess Road and University road, which until now has been leased to Greene King."

The University added that has no current plans to demolish the building and is examining options for alternative uses.