A POPULAR restaurant in Thornbury is set to close after it was deemed financially unviable to continue in its current High Street location.

The Mezze, which has been based in the White Lion for the past 18 months after moving from The Royal George, has announced it would be closing “with immediate effect”.

In a statement on Facebook, the restaurant’s management, which also has sites in Dursley and Downend, said: “As most of you will now be aware the Thornbury food scene is now super fierce to say the least, with many stunning operators and some of the country’s finest food and drinks available locally.

“We have recently put this to our landlords (Marstons) who 18 months ago kindly gave us the opportunity to run the White Lion with a view to us making the site sustainable long term through the Mezze offer.

“Having now looked at the numbers and our competitors very carefully, we would only be able to remain in the site with a substantial rent reduction which Marstons immediately made clear that they are not prepared to entertain meaning (in short) it will no longer be financially viable to open the site moving forward. This indefinite closure of the site will take place with immediate effect.

“Over the last 18 months Thornbury customers have given us fantastic support and loyalty and please be sure that we have already made enquiries into 2 great Thornbury venues with more sustainable rents and realistic landlords very keen to have further conversations.

“In the meantime please visit your nearest Mezzes in Dursley or Downend for your Mezze fix.

“We hope we have been able to reach any future bookings that were in our diaries, and where possible we have offered alternatives with great loyalty discounts at our other sites.

“Once again Thanks so much for 10 years of stunning customer loyalty in Thornbury we wish the town and its people the very best of luck. #watchthisspace.”

The Gazette is awaiting a comment from Marstons.