Heineken is re-advertising for a new owner at a popular Watford pub after customers were sad to see it boarded up.

The Oddfellows was shut at short notice in early April by a temporary operator. The doors and windows were covered and an online advert for a new owner was taken down “as part of a review of operational plans”.

Now, Heineken subsidiary Stars Pubs & Bars has relaunched its ad for the Fearnley Street building with ingoing costs of just £4,000 compared to the £40,510 it had previously asked for.

As originally advertised operators would pay an annual rent of £44,236.

The new self-employed management agreement would replace rent with an earnings package system that would see the new landlord receive at least 25% of the net turnover and 20% of the net operating profit.

The pub is still set for an “extensive” planned upgrade to become a “friendly and modern pub” and the listing reveals work would include a full £194,000 refurbishment.

Watford Observer: The Oddfellows plans CGIThe Oddfellows plans CGI (Image: Stars Pubs & Bars)

When the pub suddenly shut down earlier this year, a Stars Pubs & Bars spokesperson said: “We’ve had a temporary operator running Oddfellows in Watford whilst we recruit a longer-term licensee, however, they closed the pub earlier this week at short notice.

“The pub has now been made secure until a new operator can be appointed."

Customers described the closure as “sad” and feared that the “great pub” may be under threat, as it was unclear when it would reopen at the time.

Refurbishment work would include new signage, a new outdoor seating area, a beer garden with a retractable roof, and outdoor soft play area, kitchen facilities, and an open bar floor.

The company estimates targeted earnings of £42,428 for the operator and an annual £432,686 turnover.

Watford Observer: Oddfellows refurbishment floorplanOddfellows refurbishment floorplan (Image: Stars Pubs and Bars)

The pub also includes two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and a bathroom as part of its private accommodation for the licensee, with the advert calling for people with an "understanding of the local community" to apply.

Oddfellows has long been popular with away football fans and an initial idea of rename it The Hornets was scrapped in October last year.