A FORMER employee at a popular oyster bar says staff were left devastated after they were laid off just a fortnight before Christmas.

The ex-worker said he and his colleagues do not know if they will still have a job when The Oyster Bar, in West Mersea, reopens in March next year.

Bosses at the popular venue, which was previously recognised by the Good Food Guide, closed its doors last week so they could address a "technical issue".

Its owners added the restaurant will be closed following issues with its kitchen and "the quiet time of year".

Mike Dawson, the owner of the venue, said it is “understandable” staff are upset but claimed he could not afford to lose any more money during the quiet winter months.

Gazette: Popular restaurant - the oyster barPopular restaurant - the oyster bar (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Dawson rebuked claims staff were not offered their jobs back in the spring.

The former employee, who asked to be anonymous, said he and his colleagues had been left devastated at the news.

They said: "Everyone worked really hard over the summer, it was non-stop all day long in temperatures.

"I used to love going to Mersea but this has really put off the appeal.

"It is tough in this climate at the moment.

"It’s always quiet over the winter and so we work very hard in the other months to ensure the business, which is always busy in the summer, keeps going."

The business offers quality fresh fish and seafood dishes, including the revered Colchester and Mersea oysters.

Mr Dawson, who built the oyster bar 17-years-ago, said: “We carried on as best we could but in the end we had to close it because it was losing so much money.

“It was a bit sudden but we did give each member of staff a Christmas bonus and two-week’s pay up front.

“We felt so sorry for them. The upset is understandable but we were losing so much money we had to do it.”

The owner added most of his staff would be returning in the spring.