The landlord of Ipswich’s only “gay-friendly” pub prevented the venue’s owner from evicting him after he locked himself inside.

James Iannone, landlord of the Grinning Rat in St Helen’s Street, was controversially told to leave by Punch Taverns, who instructed him to hand over the keys two weeks ago.

He was initially given seven days to move out but that period was extended by another week – until yesterday.

Five officials from the pub chain arrived at the premises at 9am yesterday. But the 37-year-old landlord, who was joined by a host of supporters, refused them entry.

The two parties managed to communicate through a locked back door, with Mr Iannone insisting he would not leave the pub.

The Punch Taverns officials left soon after.

A spokesman for the firm said bosses were reviewing the situation and were in discussions with their legal team.

Mr Iannone says he has “transformed” the Grinning Rat into a “thriving, gay-friendly community pub” after signing a Tenancy at Will contract with Punch Taverns in January.

He claims he had a verbal agreement he would be given a one-year lease.

But the pub firm says leases are only agreed in writing.

Mr Iannone said: “We are going to fight this all the way. We will go to the courts if we have to.”

A Punch Taverns spokesman said: “Our long-term leases are only agreed in writing.

“We have always been open and honest with Mr Iannone that he was only a temporary agreement and informed him that other parties were interested and requested that he submit a business plan.”

Mr Iannone was joined inside the pub yesterday by both gay and straight supporters.

Phil Hastie, pub liaison for the Ipswich and East Suffolk branch of Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: “This pub has struggled for years but is now a successful business.

“You would think they would be grateful for what he has done.”

Jane Scott, social secretary for the Ipswich and East Suffolk branch of CAMRA, added: “It seems incredible to us that they want to bring in someone new.”

Nearly 700 people have signed an online petition in support of Mr Iannone, who lives at the pub.