A PUB judged Oxford’s best just three years has been shut suddenly and put up to let.

Brewers and pub company Greene King closed the Old Bookbinders Arms in Jericho on Friday, with a To Let sign put up outside and a notice on the door saying it is shut “until further notice”.

Three years ago, the popular local on the corner of Canal Street and Victor Street was named pub of the year by Oxford CAMRA.

A ‘pub to let’ sign has been erected on the outside of the building, and a sign on the door says the pub will be shut “until further notice”.

Tony Goulding, pubs officer for Oxford CAMRA, said: “I am sure regulars at the Old Bookbinders will be stunned by this.

“This was once a busy and successful community pub and it’s heartbreaking to see it go from being our pub of the year three years ago to closing suddenly.

“I hope the closure is only a temporary one and that the brewery finds a new landlord to run it.”

Mr Goulding said the pub was taken over by Greene King about five years ago after it was sold by the Morrells of Oxford chain.

He added: “Matthew Marren, the landlord who won our pub of the year award, had whipped the pub up to such a good standard.

“It is very hard to put your finger on why a former pub of the year could suddenly close.”

Regular Jamie Richardson, 32, a furniture maker from Adelaide Street, Jericho, said: “A lot of people in Jericho are very upset about this.

“I considered the Old Bookbinders to be my second home.”

No-one from Greene King was available for comment.