IT is one of Southampton's best-known hotels but decades of history could be about to end next month.

The Daily Echo has learned the 72-bedroom Southampton Park Hotel will close on February 10 - just two months after it was put on the market.

Staff at the Cumberland Place hotel were informed of the closure at a meeting and by letter last week, the Daily Echo was told.

And it comes as a new blow to the Hampshire tourism industry just weeks after the St James's Hotel Group, which operates the business, also announced it would close the 59-bedroom Lyndhurst Park Hotel.

As previously reported, the hotel was put on the market by estate agents Christie & Co in November for £2.5 million, describing it as ideal for “redevelopment, either residential or commercial”.

One staff member, who did not want to be named, told the Daily Echo hotel employees - around 40 of them - will meet with management this week to discuss the options available to them once the hotel closes.

They added removal firms are currently moving furniture out of rooms ahead of the closure.

They said: “Apparently the building has been sold for redevelopment.

“It has not hit me yet - it has come as a shock.

“We thought when we were put up for sale another hotel would take us over, and we'd stay as a hotel.

“Everyone is carrying on as normal but I think some people are upset.

“I don't know if there are people booked up to stay here but I think the hotel has stopped taking bookings.

“It's a sad situation - it's the end of an era.”

The hotel was a popular venue for Saints players and would host stars performing at the nearby Mayflower Theatre.

Formerly the Royal Hotel, it changed its name to the Southampton Park Hotel in 1980, a year after a change of ownership.

It was put up for sale for a second time in less than 12 months in 2011 before it was taken over by St James's Hotel group.

Last night, discount website Groupon was offering a wedding package worth £1,500 at the hotel up until October this year.

The package offers welcome drinks for up to 50 guests, a three-course meal for guests, room hire, a buffet, and a DJ.

The offer page revealed it had been bought by three customers but it is not known if they have been refunded.

Gerry Walden, a retired wedding photographer in Southampton, said: “I think it's sad. It's a hotel I have known for years.

“It's always very sad when something like that goes to the wall.”

Groupon said it is aware the hotel is closing and has since stopped the deal on its website.

A spokesman said: “we have been made aware the hotel is closing down. We have stopped selling the deal and spoken to all the customers who bought the wedding package to give them either a full refund or the choice of an alternative venue - The Winchester Hotel.”

The hotel refused to comment when contacted by the Daily Echo.

The Daily Echo made numerous attempts to contact the St James's Hotel Group head office but were unable to speak to anyone.