A TROUBLED Southampton pub has been closed after a brawl left a man unconscious.

The Shield and Dagger in Shirley had its licence dramatically suspended after police said its management was linked to allegations of "serious criminal offences”.

Customers have rallied behind the pub, whose landlord strongly denies wrongdoing and said the brawl which led to the closure started off-site.

As reported by the Daily Echo, 20 reported incidents including violence and “sexual entertainment” prompted police to initially call for a review of its licence before councillors.

But faced with the latest brawl Superintendent Alison Heydari moved for an urgent suspension from Southampton council after the fight.

An official notice outside the pub says: “In the opinion of a senior police officer the premises are associated with serious crime and serious disorder, by reason of alleged serious criminal offences committed at the premises involving the management of the business conducted there.”

It means the pub will be shut until a hearing on April 20 at the earliest, unless it meets conditions set by police.

Landlord Tony Cookson criticised the council for agreeing the order behind closed doors and vowed to challenge it through a solicitor.

He said the battle would cost up to £15,000 but promised to reopen as soon as possible.

Regulars say the pub has held weddings, parties and charity functions for decades.

“It’s part of my life,” said Ray Robinson, 66, of Wordsworth Road.

“I don’t want to walk all the way down to Shirley and go to the pubs down there. "I always feel safe when I come in here.”

Deb Ewart, 55, of Stratton Road, said:“I was gutted when I was told it was shutting. “I’ve never heard anything coming from there – and I don’t go to bed until two in the morning.”

None of the 20 alleged incidents alleged by police have led to prosecutions, according to Mr Cookson who said most complaints came from “bitter” neighbours who have been barred from the pub.

He said: “It’s just a nice little family backstreet pub, family orientated. People wouldn’t come here if they thought it was violent.”

He added that alleged “sexual entertainment”, reported to police in February, was a stripper performing behind a curtain at a private birthday party.

Staff, customers and residents People will have the chance to defend the pub at a review hearing on April 20.

Conditions to be imposed include earlier closing hours, more door security and a different CCTV system.

Mr Cookson says he had spent around £4,000 on cameras before police told him to downgrade to a system compatible with theirs.

The council’s licensing committee chairman, Cllr Matt Tucker, said: “Based on the information we were given we felt the suspension of the premises’ licence was justified in the circumstances.

“I appreciate it may cause difficulties for a month or whatever such time. The licence holder is given the opportunity to get independent legal advice and consider if they want to appeal that.”