MYSTERY surrounds the closure of a hair salon that shut up shop overnight.

Customers of The Priory hairdressers Southampton were left disappointed when they turned up for their hair appointment to find the doors to the business in Carlton Place locked.

Attached to the door and window of the salon is a note advising customers that the hairdressers is no longer operating as the property has been repossessed.

The note reads: "These premises known as Priory Hairdressers, has been repossessed on behalf of the landlord and the locks have been changed."

"To interfere with these locks in any way will be deemed an offence and you may be liable to prosecution."

Neighbouring businesses in Carlton Place said they did not know why the business, which only opened four months ago, had been repossessed.

One customer, who arrived for an appointment on Saturday morning said: "I was never told about this. It does seem strange as when I've been here before they always had quite a few people in," she added.

Another customer said: "I've been one of their customers for several years, since before they moved here. I cannot understand what's happened or why they didn't call and at least tell us they wouldn't be here. I had my appointment booked for weeks."

A local businessman who asked not to be named said he believed the salon had become too expensive to run.

"It was not open long and they did put a lot of money into it. Unfortunately repossessions happen in the world of business when it becomes too difficult to pay the rent."

The hairdressing salon, owned by Iman Prior, is the second business in Carlton Place to shut up shop without warning within months.

It was opened later last year after Ms Prior and some stylists moved from their former business Isis in Shirley Road.

Last year a bridal store, the Sarah Phillips Bridal Studio, also closed its doors to customers after just six months of trading.

Within 36 hours of being open as normal the entire shop had been emptied of stock and fittings.

Owners Sean and Sarah Phillips moved their business to their home after closing the store in July.

The couple said a number of reasons led to their decision including a claim that asbestos had been found in various parts of the building and they had to negotiate personal terms with landlords Quintain Estates.

The city council refuted the asbestos claims of the Canute Place building saying environmental health chiefs had deemed it satisfactory.