THE future of a Southampton pub that seemed to have been secured has been thrown into doubt once again.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the Bitterne Park Hotel was set for a mid-October opening with a new publican.

But now, Ei Publican Partnerships have said that a deal with the new publican has not been finalised.

It means that the opening date has been pushed back, with no set date for a relaunch.

A spokesman from Ei, formerly Enterprise Inns, said: “Until we get a deal signed with a new publican, the reopening date is yet to be decided.”

The watering hole has been shut since the summer, when former landlady Tracy Bondsfield left ‘suddenly’, according to patrons.

Although Ei didn’t confirm the circumstances around the closure, the pub has undergone refurbishment work since it has been closed.

The news comes days after Tracy’s predecessor, Krista Campbell, was fined £300 for bringing a knuckleduster to court as she turned up to give evidence in a case.

In December last year, Krista was asked to leave the pub, with police called to the premises, and she was replaced by Tracy.

Her reign in charge lasted only eight months however, with a stabbing in March leaving her doubting her future at the pub, and left suddenly in August.