A popular bistro in Thanet - which has a five-star Tripadvisor rating - has closed.

Jules, in Birchington, which only opened in March 2023, closed “with a heavy heart” for the final time on Friday.

The owners of the venue, on Station Road, said the decision came following one of its directors quitting at the end of last year.

In a statement on social media, bistro bosses said: “[In] December 2023 one director decided to leave due to personal reasons. This sadly left the team in a strenuous, unstable position.

“However we have tried our hardest to carry on and we have loved every second of it, welcoming you lovely people, regulars, new customers and furry friends, into our friendly relaxed atmosphere and serving you our food and treats that we are so passionate about. It's been truly a pleasure to do so.

“It's with a very heavy heart Team Jules will be moving onto new ventures.”

The statement added the past year “has been amazing” and that customer support was “mind-blowing”.

KentOnline’s Eat My Words reviewer visited Jules back in September 2023 and gave it five stars for the quality of its food.

It is the latest blow to hit Birchington.

Earlier this year, Turkish restaurant La Turkvaz, also on Station Road closed.