A MUCH loved Southampton pub has temporarily closed, after the owner decided to call time after four years behind the bar.

Woolston’s Obelisk Hotel shut its doors this week after previous tennant Kevin Guerrier revealed he had quit in favour of having a “normal life” with his family.

Pub chain Enterprise Inns says it is close to agreeing new ownership for the premises and have vowed it will remain a community pub.

Kevin took over at the Obelisk Hotel in June 2011 after a stint in Slovakia teaching English and working in construction.

During his time at the pub he says he has worked 16 hour days, served thousands of punters and watched the Obelisk football team win two league titles back-to-back.

Kevin said: “To all the people that have loved the pub over the years, thank you so much for your support.

“I hope the person that takes on the pub will take it onwards and upwards for years to come.”

Dad-of-two Kevin says he and wife Lisa – who he proposed to during a party at the pub – says he is not sure what he plans to do next but is simply looking forward to having his weekends off.

He said: “The main reason we are calling it a day at the Obelisk is the chance to have a normal life and to have some much needed time off.

Daily Echo:

“It was just getting too much, but, saying that, I have a lot of fond memories as so many things have happened at the pub.”

In particular, he recalls how he threw a party last October when he proposed to then girlfriend Lisa, who was in a wheelchair at the time after breaking her foot. The pair tied the knot in February.

A spokesperson for Enterprise Inns said “The current publican’s business agreement with ourselves for the Obelisk is ending by mutual consent and they will be leaving the pub at the end of this month. We are pleased to confirm that this popular pub will continue to trade under a new publican and hope that members of the community will visit to enjoy their hospitality and show support for their local pub.”