THE owners of a popular seafood restaurant in Mersea have confirmed they will not be reopening.

Sel Yuzen and Chris Avila have run the West Mersea Oyster Bar since 2010.

During that time it has been recognised by the Good Food Guide.

It offers quality fresh fish and seafood dishes including the famed Colchester and Mersea oysters.

The oysters are bred in the creeks of West Mersea and then processed in the shed that is on the side of the restaurant.

But in an announcement on Facebook tonight the pair said they would not be reopening this month as their lease comes to an end.

They said: "We would like to inform all of our kind and loyal customers that unfortunately the West Mersea Oyster bar will not be re-opening during December.

"We have reluctantly made this decision due to our lease coming to an end at the end of December and a new lease not being granted to us.

"Also with the current Covid restrictions in place it would not be viable for us to re-open for a three week period before having to hand the building back to the owners.

"We are aware that the Oyster Bar will re-open sometime in the New Year with new tenants in place.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal customers and friends that we have made over the last 11 years whilst running the Oyster bar.

"It has been a true pleasure to serve you all."

The pair said they would remain serving the island with their fish and chip shop, the Mersea Island Fish Bar.

They added: "All is not lost though as hopefully in the not too distant future we will be looking to re-open a seafood restaurant within the surrounding area and we look forward to that time when we can serve you all once again."