A high street pub has closed after running of the business left its owners “physically, financially and emotionally” drained.

Rottingdean Lounge Bar, formerly the Rottingdean Club, has shut its doors after being open for over five years.

The bar, which had previously been a part of the Olde Place Hotel, has now closed as the owners look to “focus on other businesses”.

Philip Sherrington, the lease owner for the bar, cited changes in personal circumstances for the closure.

He said: “Over the last five years we have gone from a small members' club to a pub with a full licence, allowing the entire wider community to partake and developing a huge beer garden.

“This decision is based on our wavering desire to be on site, bad management of the site and our desire to focus on other businesses that give us the energy and passion that we desire.

“We wish whoever takes the helm all the luck in the world.”

Mr Sherrington described the closure of the bar as “a traumatic and sad time”, adding that other financial losses unrelated to the running of the bar “drained us physically, financially and emotionally”.

Rottingdean residents had previously expressed concerns for the bar’s future after removal vans were seen taking furnishings away.

One resident said: “It’s a big loss for the community. It has been there for donkeys years and I’ve lived here for over 20 years.

“I saw a lorry turn up last Sunday at 7pm and collect all the furniture. All the social media has all been taken down too, everything has vanished.”

The bar had previously been a private members' club but converted to a pub in 2020 and opened its doors to the wider public.

The pub, set in an old Tudor building, had an open fire and a large beer garden with space for around 100 people.