Bosses of a town centre restaurant say economic challenges have forced them to shut and reopen as a bar.

Oyster and Chop House, a fixture in Herne Bay High Street for 13 years, will bring down the shutters on New Year’s Eve.

Customers have lamented the loss after the smokehouse owners pointed the finger at "rising costs, new taxes and falling sales" in a public statement.

"After 13 incredible years of serving you, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of Oyster and Chop House," they said.

"Tomorrow, New Year’s Eve, will be our final service as a restaurant. We’ll be open from 5 PM until late, with a complimentary glass of prosecco at midnight to toast the memories we’ve shared.

"Rising costs, new taxes, and falling sales have led us to this difficult decision, but we are deeply grateful to our amazing staff and loyal customers who have supported us through the years."

The social media post today has attracted several comments, whereby customers expressed disappointment over the unexpected closure.

In a response, Claire Louise said the food was "such a highlight" in the town.

Jeff Doyley wrote he was "very sad" to see the restaurant go, adding: "We only started going recently...great friendly service and excellent plentiful food - such a shame".

In its time in the seaside town, the eatery became well-known for its lobster, burgers and other quintessential American BBQ foods.

With an in-house smoker cooking meat for up to nine hours, Oyster and Chop has received almost 500 five-star reviews on Tripadvisor, and 4.5 stars overall.

Praise flooded in from diners applauding the atmosphere, quality and taste of meals, alongside its location just a stone’s throw away from the beach.

Despite the sadness of closing the kitchen and restaurant, bosses confirmed it is not the end for them in Herne Bay and they will overhaul the venue into a bar.

According to those in charge, Bar Eight will bring “a San Sebastian type” of energy to the town offering “pintxos, good wines, good drinks and beer”.

It is set to open from January 9.

A spokesman told KentOnline: “Unfortunately the falling sales, rising taxes, rising utilities, and rising cost of the ingredients is pushing us towards closing down."

“We want to thank all our fantastic staff members who have been with us for years and years, and the support from our amazing customers.”

It comes after Around the Clock restaurant in Whitstable High Street closed after four years of trading after the venture became unviable.

In July 2023, Steakhouse Herd in Canterbury High Street closed after little more than a year citing econimical pressures.

“Opening in our generation’s most difficult economic [era], and in a post-Covid & Brexit damaged hospitality landscape, was always going to be a challenge.

“The issues of rising costs and staff recruitment... combined with failed attempts to obtain much needed amended licensing as well as a year’s long legal battle to take sole control to enable adequate investment and restructuring [means] I have been left with no other options.”