A celebrated Southampton pub is set to close its doors for ‘a month’ after an electrical fire swept through the building.

Emergency services were called to the Platform Tavern in Town Quay shortly after 3am on Thursday morning, where firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Nobody was inside the building at the time of the fire and landlord Stewart Cross told the Echo he’s grateful the incident ‘wasn’t worse.’

He said: “We're lucky it wasn't any worse. I stay in the flat upstairs overnight for six days a week and fortunately I was staying with my girlfriend in North Baddesley.

“The fire was right underneath the smoke detector and damaged that, hence why it didn't go off.

“It was a horrible feeling driving back last night as you don't know if you're being told the full extent of what's happened.

Daily Echo:

“It's horrible, but like I said it could be a lot worse given the circumstances.”

Stewart admitted it would be ‘a month or so’ until the pub reopened but had received messages of support.

READ MORE: Southampton pub fire damages Platform Tavern in Town Quay

The landlord said: “Hopefully we'll reopen in a month or so. I've had a lot of positive messages and bands who are willing to come here and perform to raise some money for us, I'm going to have to redecorate the whole thing.

“I've got no idea at this moment in time how much it will cost but we'll have to see how much the insurance will cover.”

Reacting to the news, Cllr Jacqui Rayment – who was born and raised in the Platform Tavern until the age of five – told the Echo: “I was really sad to hear there’s been a fire at the Platform Tavern.

Daily Echo:

“As a young child living in the Platform Tavern, I know how special it is.

“I’m really pleased nobody was hurt and that they plan to reopen when they can which is really promising.”

She added: “The pub is an integral part of Southampton’s nightlife economy, allowing opportunity for live music and the best pints.”

Southampton Itchen MP, Royston Smith added: “This is awful news but such a relief that no one was injured.

“The Platform Tavern has been a part of the Southampton scene for as long as anyone can remember and I hope it is quickly repaired and back to doing what it does so well, serving the customers.”