A SOUTHAMPTON pub that suddenly shut its doors is hoping to “reopen in the coming weeks”.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the Bitterne Park Hotel had closed with the landlady moving to another facility.

Mystery had surrounded the closure, with regulars claiming that the business had shut without any warning.

The owners refused to confirm whether this was the case, or whether she had given any notice to them or the public.

Now, owners Ei Publican Partnerships have confirmed that they are hoping to open “in the coming weeks” after beginning the search for a new operator.

A spokesperson for Ei (formerly Enterprise Inns) said: “Works are under way at the pub with a view to recruiting a new publican and reopening in the coming weeks.

“There’s some minor refurbishment work taking place at the pub while it’s closed.”

The owners added that they couldn’t give any specific dates or details on the work as the search for a replacement continues.

Part of the car park outside the front of the pub has also been sealed off with new posts, but no reason has been given for the work.

Previous landlady Tracy Bondsfield, pictured, confirmed that she had left the watering hole to take over at another pub after her future was thrown into doubt following a stabbing incident earlier this year.

She said: “I’m now at another pub, and there isn’t much more to say. I’m not there anymore.”

Although regulars were left mystified by the sudden closure, the former landlady had thrown her long-term future into doubt months ago after claiming she was considering her future following a stabbing at the pub in March.

A 28-year-old was hit in the face and neck with a glass and left bleeding on the doorstep after a late-night attack.

Bleeding for more than two hours, the man had to be rushed to hospital after an ‘unprovoked’ attack.

Following the incident, Tracy said at the time: “It has made me think about things, maybe I could be at another pub, but I need to speak to the owners.”

One resident said they understood Tracy had moved to Gosport to take over at another pub.

Tracy took over the pub in December last year after the previous landlord was ‘asked to leave’.

Former landlady Krista Campbell, who took over in April 2016, said she had been instructed to leave the bar, with police called to the pub in Bitterne Park six months later.

In 2014, the pub was also saved after a Southampton man, Kevin Guerrier, thrashed out a deal to keep it open.