A vegan barbecue restaurant residing in a city pub has announced it is closing.

But the pub says "exciting plans" are already in the pipeline for what will be cooked up in the kitchen in the future. 

Stoked, which claims to be the first vegan BBQ restaurant in the UK, moved into The Artichoke pub in Magdalen Road in July.

Serving dishes like smoked tempeh ribs, mac and cheese and a Reuben sandwich, it was a hit when our reviewer visited in September.

But after five months in business, it has decided to leave the city in order to focus on its restaurant in Southend, where the firm began.

Its last food service is today (November 22). 

In a statement on social media, The Artichoke said "unforeseen circumstances" were also partly to blame and that it was "sad to see them go".

General manager of The Artichoke, Harley Wright, said "exciting" plans are in the works for the pub's food offerings but was unable to reveal any details at this time.