A 17th century city pub has been closed and sealed off after a deep well opened up in the toilets.

A ‘danger - keep out’ sign has been posted outside the Cross Keys pub in Oaten Hill, Canterbury, following the collapse of the 12ft-wide shaft.

The hole - thought to be more than 20ft deep - was found by maintenance workers in loos at the back of the Grade II-listed property.

As a result, owner Star Pubs and Bars, which is part of the Heineken group, has been forced to shut the business.

Specialist structural engineers are now using CCTV to examine the hole and decide the best course of action.

It is feared the pub - which is due to undergo a £650,000 refurbishment - could be closed for months.

It is a setback for Star Pubs and Bars, which has already commissioned architectural and interior designers to refurbish the property and create a boutique pub/hotel with six rooms.

Faversham-based Design i.d. specialises in pub refurbishments and director Justin Prior says the issue has delayed the planned renovation, for which a planning application was recently submitted.

“We think it is probably a well, but it is certainly a very big, black hole and investigations are underway,” he said.

“The internal structural damage is minimal but we will know more when the investigation is complete as to whether the hole needs filling in or can be capped off.

“We have made the owners aware and it is likely that now this has cropped up it will set the refurbishment back. We still have to get planning permission.”

A spokesman for Star Pubs and Clubs confirmed the Cross Keys is temporarily closed “following the collapse of a well towards the back of the property”.

“We are currently assessing the damage before undertaking the required remedial work in order that the pub can reopen again as quickly as possible,” she added.

The business was bought from Punch Taverns by Star Pubs and Bars earlier this year and had continued to operate until the collapse of the well.

Mr Prior says the refurbishment plans are exciting and will enhance and revive the building, which is in a prime position. He hopes work can start early in the new year.

The planning application is for listed building consent for changes, including the installation of glazed double doors, the relocation of the bar, removal and erection of internal partition walls, installation of en-suites, kitchen and bathroom and the blocking up and creation of entrance ways.

Mr Prior said: “The pub is in a prime position and adding six en-suite rooms will broaden its appeal.”

Additional reporting by Kelly Bellerson.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury