MYSTERY surrounds the future of a prominent Bournemouth pub, which has closed its doors suddenly.

The Ensbury Park pub, which stands on the corner of Columbia Road and Boundary Road, has been shut for the past few weeks.

According to Bournemouth council, the lease has been surrendered to pub giant Enterprise Inns. Efforts to contact Enterprise Inns and find out what their plans are for the building have so far been unsuccessful.

The building occupies a large plot and the site next to it is currently being redeveloped.

The pub is also a listed building but that would not necessarily stop it from being redeveloped, if it is not reopened as a pub.

Jean Scovell, who has lived in Ensbury Park for more than 70 years, said: “That pub was there before I was born and I’ve lived here all my life.

“It used to be a great pub but then the owners and the clientele gradually changed and its reputation went downhill.

“Lately the windows were often left open and it really looked quite derelict.

“It’s sad that it’s closed as it is part of Bournemouth’s history.

“It would be great if it could be put back as a nice family pub but I wouldn’t be surprised if a developer snapped it up.

“It’s a difficult position right on the corner but it wouldn’t surprise me.”

The pub started life as the Ensbury Park Hotel after being granted planning permission in 1924.

The building, with its neo-Georgian design, echoes Ensbury Manor, which included a genuine Georgian wing and which dominated Ensbury village for several centuries until its demolition in 1936.

Ward councillor Susan Phillips said: “As a council, we don’t like to see a large building fall empty and look forward to a new scheme being proposed in the future.”

An Enterprise spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the Ensbury Park Hotel remains closed following the publican's decision to cease trading.

“We do not discuss the private and confidential matters between the company and our publicans, however we can confirm that we are working to resolve matters as soon as possible and explore various alternative options for the future of the property.”