A pub that has been serving customers for 171 years has closed its doors.

The King Rufus at Eling Hill temporarily said goodbye to customers this week.

Owners Cat and Mike Wallace announced they made the difficult decision to sell the pub after taking on the reins post-Covid.

(Image: King Rufus)

In a post on Facebook, the pair said: “We are sad to announce that The King Rufus is now temporarily closed.

"We have made the difficult decision to sell the pub and will soon be placing it on the market for sale.

“Hopefully this won't take too long and once new owners are found the pub will be open again.

“We'd like to thank all our lovely customers who have helped make our time at The Rufus such a happy one and wish you all the very best for the future.

“Thank you.”

The pair moved into The King Rufus in June 2021, renovating and reopening it six months later.

The pub was built around 1850 and was owned until the early 20th century by brewer Ashby's, based in Rumbridge Street in Totton.

It was eventually bought out by Strong's of Romsey.

In the early 1980s, the landlord was the recently retired football legend Peter Rodridgues who captained Saints to their historic 1976 FA Cup victory over Manchester United.