But the company which owns the Rainbow said it would try to get the pub open again 'as soon as possible'.

Natasha Doherty, Rainbow landlady for nine years, told the Express: 'The last few years have been bad.

'The smoking ban has really hit us, I think some people think why come to a pub when the drinks are really expensive and they have to stand outside in the cold, and the weather was bad last year.

'The rent has gone up, the beer has gone up and we've been feeling the effects of credit crunch and the economy slowing down.'

The pub has also been plagued by vandalism. Sinks have been ripped out in the the men's toilets on three occasions and they were deliberately flooded forcing a temporary closure of the pub.

But Natasha said she had enjoyed her time at the Rainbow.
She said: 'I've made some great friends and we've had some great parties here, it's a great party pub.'

A spokesman for Punch Taverns, which owns the pub, said: 'Our priority is to get the Rainbow open for trade as soon as possible and serving the local community.

We will be speaking to our licensee with the aim of resolving a number of issues.

'We are aware it is her intention to move but it's difficult to determine exactly how long the pub will be closed.

'We wouldn't want it to be closed for any length of time and will get it open again as soon as possible.'