Celebrity chef Mark Sargeant has announced his Folkestone restaurant, The Brasserie MS, is to close just six months after opening, blaming "tough trading conditions".

The former Rocksalt head chef took over the Clifton Gardens venue from Tavernetta, an Italian restaurant that had been in the town since 1965, after its owners decided to retire.

Announcing the restaurant's launch back in March 2022, the 49-year-old promised to offer "classical French cuisine" in Art Deco surroundings.

It opened in August last year. However, Mr Sargeant has now revealed the eatery's imminent closure.

In a statement, he said: "It is with great sadness that I am announcing the closing of The Brasserie MS.

"I want to thank all of my wonderful customers, employees and suppliers for supporting me since I opened as I could not have done it without all of you.

"I am extremely humbled by everyone who enjoyed my local Brasserie experience and it is with much regret that I am not able to continue any longer and become a neighbourhood favourite in Folkestone.

"This is not an easy decision that has been taken lightly but today’s tough trading conditions and the uncertain future have simply left me no choice.

"I opened to rave reviews in August, but sadly my backers don’t share my same vision of restaurant excellence."

He also went on to promise payments will be fully made to staff and suppliers, while pre-booked customers will be compensated.

The news comes just weeks after Michelin revealed the restaurant would be included in its prestigious Great Britain and Ireland Guide, though it had not been confirmed whether or not the eatery was to receive a coveted Michelin star.

Once a protégé of Gordon Ramsay, Sargeant had once spearheaded a Kentish culinary empire that included Rocksalt on Folkestone Harbour and the Wife of Bath in Wye.

He walked away from the group in October 2021 following "unresolvable differences" with his business partner.

Prior to the building of his impressive portfolio of restaurants and pubs, Sargeant won the National Chef of the Year award in 2002.

In more recent years, Sargeant was at the centre of controversy as he issued an apology to an American Airlines flight attendant after allegations of sexual assault.

At the time, he told KentOnline he had apologised to Kimberly Goesling, from Texas, after "misreading the situation", but denied allegations of sexual assault during a visit to Germany in 2018.