A POPULAR coffee shop in Southampton is set to shut.

Mettricks Old Town will serve its last coffee today.

The coffee house in High Street was opened five years ago and was the first of four branches across the city.

As previously reported, the one at East Bargate closed in January to make way for the city's new Bargate development.

But while businesses owner Spencer Bowman confirmed that Mettricks Guildhall and the branch in Woolston will remain open he has announced that Mettricks Old Town will close for good today.

In a post on Facebook he said: "It is with real sadness that we announce the closure of Mettricks Old Town. A decision that was not taken lightly, but was made six months ago to align with the end of our lease this July - sealed with a combination of a proposed rent increase and business rates rise.

"Our city has excitingly transformed over the past five years with more and more hospitality places open in new destination developments from Watermark WestQuay to the Cultural Quarter - home to Mettricks Guildhall. Our little corner of the Old Town High Street has yet to reach its full potential and Mettricks has sadly outgrow our first home."

Mr Bowman said the coffee house was opened to provide the city with a speciality coffee hub and has been more than just a coffee shop.

And added: "In all that we did at Mettricks Old Town we always tried to inject some big Southampton heart and soul in to it - from weekend brunch to live music, open mics and cocktails, latte art throw downs, BBQ’s in the lane, poetry and spoken word, science and philosophy, numerous parties, constant exhibitions filling our walls. Old Town was at the heart of the Mettricks family approach - a place that feels like home, a living room for the city."

Mr Bowman said he is currently working on plans to organise a send off party at Mettricks Old Town next month.

Dozens of residents voiced their sadness on social media saying the branch in High Street will be missed.

Lorelai Bowman said: "Really sad to hear this. One of my favourite things about my flat (and even a factor in moving there!) was being next to Mettricks. I’ve come in regularly to enjoy the great service, excellent coffee and peace and quiet to get work done and it’s always been amazing. You’ll be missed!"

As previously reported, Mettricks shops were broken into several times in the past few years.