A VILLAGE pub near York has shut down suddenly – and signs on the doors and windows say it will remain closed “until further notice”.

The Half Moon, in Strensall, run by Heather Wright and her husband, Paul, was open for business as normal last weekend.

But when customers turned up on Bank Holiday Monday, they found the doors closed and several hand-written signs informing them it was shut.

One regular, Brian Page, spoke today of his sadness that the Wrights were going after more than five years in charge of the pub, and he also criticised the pub’s owners, Punch Taverns.

“It’s really disappointing that after all the tremendously hard work Paul and Heather have put in, the pub has closed,” said Mr Page, a freelance journalist who lives in the village.

He said he believed Punch had treated the couple badly, claiming they had always seemed to face an uphill struggle to make things work.

But a Punch spokeswoman rebuffed the claims, saying it worked closely with its licensees to help them build their businesses.

“It is always our priority that our pubs are open for trade and serving the community around them,” she said.

“It is not in our interests to see our pubs fail.”

She said Punch’s area manager was currently in discussions with the Half Moon licensees, who were tenants, and it was hoped the pub would reopen as soon as possible. “We are unable to provide any further updates at this stage,” she added. The Press attempted to contact the licensees, but a woman who came to the door, understood to be Mrs Wright, said she did not wish to make any comment.