A PROMINENT pub in Chester faces an uncertain future after shutting its doors.
Metal shutters have been put up at the Highfield Hotel in Blacon leaving regulars having to go elsewhere.
The pub, which closed earlier this month when the previous publican left, is home to football and pool teams who have also had to find alternative bases.
Owner Enterprise Inns said the pub’s future was currently under review and has not said whether the pub will be reopening.
There has been speculation that the pub could be sold and turned into a convenience store with Tesco rumoured to be interested in the site.
But the supermarket giant said it had no interest in the Saughall Road pub.
One regular, who asked not be named, said: “We are very disappointed the pub has closed and it looks very sad with the shutters installed.
“There are lots of rumours but nobody seems to know what is happening.
“The pub has been open in Blacon for about 50 years and we want it to reopen as quickly as possible.
“It would be terrible to see the building sold or knocked down because everybody in Blacon knows the pub so well.”
Blacon used to have three pubs but currently only the Waggon and Horses on Western Avenue remains open for business.
The Lord Byron on Shelley Road was demolished in 2003 and replaced with an old people’s home.
An Enterprise Inns spokesman said: “We can confirm that the Highfield Hotel closed following the departure of the former publican. We are currently reviewing our options for this pub.”