A SOUTHAMPTON pub that was leased to new management with a novel approach to music has stopped trading after just six weeks.

Owners of The Tap Room, Paul and Sonya Mason, closed the Carlton Place venue after just six weeks of trading, blaming the poor trading conditions on Southampton’s drinking culture.

Mr Mason said: “We struggled with the drinking culture that Southampton seems to have.

"We usually had no customers in the premises before 10.30 or 11pm.

“Our vision just did not fit in as we wanted to offer a more premium service rather than have customers who tend to pre-drink at home before coming out.

“Bedford Place is on its way out particularly.

"People here want cheap drinks rather than more expensive ones.”

The husband-and-wife team who run the successful Shuffle Bar & Kitchen in Brighton took on the premises, then The Pensioner’s Arms in the hope of the bringing a new style of pub to Southampton.

The couple repeated the formula which had been a success in Brighton, where customers could select music from a digital jukebox via their mobile phone.

Now Steven Cox, who owns the freehold of the building, said he was unsure about the future of the property.

Mr Cox said: “I am not sure about the future of the property at present as the Tap Room is currently still the tenant and I am waiting to hear what decisions they’ve made.”

The Grade II listed property was fully refurbished in 2014.