PUB bosses who were kicked out by the licensee last week have vowed to fight the eviction.

Mystery surrounds the seizure of Cinderford’s Fern Ticket pub, which saw police attend the premises early last Friday morning.

Cinderford Festival organiser James Stevens, who leased the pub with Trevor Cooper, posted: “The Police and Licensing have closed us (The Fern Ticket) down without notice, without reason, without anything.

“I have lost everything, but trust me I will be fighting this. You haven’t seen the last of me. Thank you to all my customers over the last six months.”

However, Gloucestershire Police and the Forest of Dean Council have both said they did not close the pub down.

A council spokesperson said: “We would like to make it clear that the district council is not responsible for the closure of the Fern Ticket in Cinderford. The licensee has chosen to temporarily close the establishment for personal reasons.”

A police spoksperson added: “We have supported the licence holder of The Fern Ticket pub in Cinderford who had leased out the pub to someone else.

“Police have not closed the premises down, the licence holder has taken action which was within her rights and police were only in attendance at the pub this morning to prevent a breach of the peace.”

The licensee is Marion Jayne, who opened the pub in 2015 with daughter Georgina Davies.

An application to vary the licence was made to the Forest council the same day the pub was closed down, but the details are unable to view on the council’s licensing portal.

Mr Stevens posted on Facebook over the weekend: “Thank you to everybody for your kind words of support both on Facebook and privately waking up to over 50 messages in my inbox.

“I have made a lot of good friends in Cinderford over the last 21 years and tried to do my bit for the community with my involvement with Miners Welfare Hall, Music Festival and The Fern Ticket

The duo reportedly took over the lease of the pub in January, at a rent of £8,000 a month. They say they weren’t behind with the rent and are taking legal advice after losing all their savings.

The pub has developed a reputation over the past few months as a popular live music venue.

Originally called the Swan Inn, it was relaunched as the Fern Ticket three years ago, a cheeky nod to love makers going into the Forest for an assignation.

A man at the Fern Tree on Friday afternoon said the premises were closed for “refurbishment.”