A SOUTHAMPTON bar owner has vowed his business will re-open after refurbishment - despite staff apparently receiving a letter saying they have lost their jobs.

Marshals Bar, in London Road, closed this week with no information about when it would be open again.

The owner insists he knows nothing about a letter which is understood to have been sent to staff this week, claiming the venue was closing for good.

Director Max Greenwood has said customers have nothing to worry about and they are just giving the place a fresh look.

However, he could not say when it would be back in business.

He launched the popular bar in October last year with the aim of bringing 'hearty food and a vibrant cocktail bar' to people in the city.

Max, who also runs The Rockstone pub and is a chef, said: “It’s quite boring really we are just moving the front door down a bit from where it is, there is nothing more to say.”

It is understood that refurbishments at Marshals will last for at least three weeks but there has been no confirmation about what will happen after that time.

It comes after the Daily Echo acquired a letter suggesting the bar has in fact gone into administration.

The letter, which is understood to have been sent out to staff this week, said: “I regret to inform you that the company is no longer in a position to make payments to you for services rendered and your contract of employment is terminated with immediate affect.”

The letter also said that the company F A Simms has been instructed to call a meeting of creditors to put the company into liquidation.

The letter has been signed by John Greenwood, who is a former director of Marshals, according to Companies House.

However Max said he was not aware of the bar going into administration: “I have not heard anything about that and as the director I think I would be one of the first to know.”

As well as the property closing for refurbishment, the Marshals website is closed for the time being.

On the bar's social media accounts, loyal customers have been told: “Marshals will be closed for the foreseeable future while we undertake some powerfully essential works. Many apologies for the inconvenience.”