News that last orders may soon be called for the final time at the Pump & Tap came as no great surprise to drinkers propping up the bar yesterday.

Most said they expected a deal between Leicester City Council and landowners De Montfort University would be done, in spite of the thousands signing petitions against changes.

Businessman Ashleigh Carnell, 36, of Western Park said: "That was always going to happen. They knew the scale of the resistance to knocking this place down."

His sentiments were echoed by Ian Sidwell, 52, of Narborough Road, who has been a regular since the pub first opened as the Pump & Tap around 35 years ago.

He said: "It seems like it was a done deal many months ago.

"The university is very powerful – it is probably one of the biggest landowners in the city, and the council were never going to stand in its way.

"It's a great shame."

Assistant manager Alex Gibson heard the news when word started to spread on internet site Facebook yesterday afternoon, and after the organiser of an online campaign had been contacted by the Leicester Mercury. He said: "It would be devastating if it happens.

"We've not been told anything officially – but that's councils for you.

"No doubt every customer who walks through the door is now going to be asking what's going on with the pub – but the answer will be, frankly, I don't know."

Most customers said the Pump & Tap was the only pub they drank at – and admitted they would be at a loss to find a replacement once it was knocked down.

For Sean Curley, its closure would come as a double blow. The 33-year-old, from nearby Tudor Road, was set to start working behind the bar in two weeks.

He said: "It can't be knocked down. This is like a local pub for the whole city.

"There is nowhere else in the area where you would feel safe going for a drink in your work clothes. It's like a second home to a lot of us."