The landlords of a popular Reading pub have praised their "amazing customers" as they have announced they will be leaving in May. 

Owners of The Lyndhurst on Queens Road have addressed speculation after receiving several questions about the pub's future.

Chef and manager Sheldon Fernandes and Dishon Vas said: "We are at the end of an amazing journey as our tenancy comes to an end and we think it's the right time to pass on the baton of this special little pub to someone who can take it forward."

They have thanked the team at the pub for their commitment and dedication and for "turning strangers into regulars" and creating a "unique pub experience".

However, they added that the last few years have been "extremely challenging".

"We have got through it thanks to the amazing support from all our customers for which we are extremely grateful," they added.

Sheldon and Dishon have confirmed that their tenancy will be coming to an end in May after a successful five-year stint since taking over in July 2019.

The Lyndhurst has already been put back on the market, with the Stonegate Group advertising the pub for £923 a week.

They have described it as having an "enviable reputation" within a high footfall area and having undergone significant investment recently.

When approached, the landlords did not wish to comment further on their reasons for vacating. 

The pub has had a rocky history, having seen a handful of landlords in the last decade.

In July 2016, the then landlord Heath Thomas closed the pub after complaining about rising rent costs.

Kris Dorward took the pub over later that year but after three years he also threw in the towel.

The Stonegate Group, who is advertising the site, is currently looking to refinance after falling into £2.6 billion in debt. 

GMB Union has expressed concern for the employees that refinancing could lead to crippling payments to service the debt due to increasing interest rates.

Among the 650 pubs throughout the UK, 71 are spread across Berkshire, with 17 in Reading.

Speaking last month about the company's financial situation, a Stonegate Group spokesperson said: “We continue to invest in our pubs and our people, in particular supporting local pubs which play such a key role in their communities. Our pub business remains very resilient despite the challenges our industry faces, with good like-for-like sales growth across the group.

"Following our recent successful financing announced in December as well as strong recent trading, we are well placed to deliver on our longer-term objectives and we are very confident in our ability to re-finance at the appropriate time.”