THE Roebuck in Marlborough has shut its doors less than a year after being taken over by new tenants.

This week, a spokesman for Fuller’s Brewery told the Gazette: “I can confirm that The Roebuck, Marlborough, has been closed and we are in the looking for new tenants.

“We hope to get the pub open again as soon as possible as our priority is our customers and providing excellent service.”

Paul and Alexandra Gibb took over the business in London Road this January and at the time Fuller’s Brewery said they were confident he would take the pub from strength to strength. It is thought Mr Gibb also runs three other pubs.

However, residents living near the 400-year-old coaching inn grew concerned after seeing the pub closed all week.

They also reported seeing a removal van arrive during the night and it is understood staff were told about the closure last Wednesday.

Sarah Grant, 31, of London Road in Marlborough, was supposed to be holding her birthday party there next Saturday and had invited 80 guests, but had not paid a deposit when she made the booking.

She found out about the pub’s closure by reading the article on the Gazette’s website.

“I walk past the pub twice a day on my way to work and it has been shut all week," she said. "There have been no lights on or a sign outside saying why they are closed.

“We thought maybe there had been a bereavement in the owner’s family and that was why they had shut, so my boyfriend Toby went to go in and find out what was happening on Monday but they were still shut, so we knew it was not looking good.

“It is very disappointing. It was an ideal venue for all my guests to drop in and out and now we are quickly trying to find somewhere else.”

People in the town have also taken to Facebook to express their views, with many saying it has not come as a surprise.

One person said: “Not a shock at all, but a terrible shame. They made a really good fist of it when they first opened, but heard reports of poor quality food of late.”

Another added: “I got offered a chef job there £6.50ph to, I believe, run the kitchen a month or two ago. I'm glad I didn't now.”

Mr Gibb could not be contacted for a comment.