A highly rated restaurant which has been in a Sussex seaside town for over seven years has closed its doors.

Mustards Bar and Restaurant on York Road in Bognor, a beloved restaurant in the heart of the town, announced the closure on social media.

The statement read: “It is with heavy regret that we are unfortunately closing our doors permanently this Thursday.

“I am eternally grateful for the support from every single person who has stepped into the restaurant over the last seven years, whether it be a once-in-a-lifetime visit, or once a month. Every single visit meant the world to us.”

The restaurant closed its doors on August 22 for the last time, with over a hundred residents and visitors reacting to the post with appreciation and praise.

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One customer said: “Very sad, a shining light in Bognor, hopefully your next venture will be a success somewhere your amazing talent will be appreciated and not too far away.”

Another said: “We visited twice when we were at Butlin's a couple of years ago and we loved it. So sorry to hear this”

On Tripadvisor Mustards was ranked as the third-best restaurant in the area with a rating of 4.5/5. They also were winners at the ABP Arun Business Awards in 2022.

The restaurant offered a range of British and European cuisine with a favourite being the Beef Wellington served with mushroom duxelles, chive pancake and puff pastry and truffle carrot purée.

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Mustards post continued: “I genuinely struggle putting this into words how much the restaurant has meant to me, how much you have all meant too and how much of an impression the finer dining which we have been so proud of has been received in the town I have grown up in.

I'm absolutely gutted that the restaurant has had to come to an end, but as I have said already, thank you to you all for being so supportive and such fans of the food and service we have loved to provide.

“Keep the social media page active as this may be the end of Mustards in York Road, but it is not the end of the brand, or the quality of restaurant for us.

“You will find us again soon!!”