POOLE QUAY'S latest addition, the £1.5million Rockfish restaurant and takeaway, has announced its temporary closure due to the current coronavirus pandemic.

Owner Mitch Tonks, who only celebrated the official opening of the Poole restaurant last month, said it was a "tough but necessary decision" to temporarily close all of his Rockfish restaurants from Saturday. (March 21)

He said: "This decision has taken a lot of detailed planning and naturally we expect some difficult decisions to be ongoing, especially around our people. I have explained to them how important everyone is to the combined Seahorse and Rockfish family and we will do all we can to support and guide them through this unprecedented period.

"Whilst none of the decisions we are making are easy we are doing so with the aim of protecting jobs within the company. If we can continue to employ our great people through the entire period of closure we will be ready to bounce back once we are out the other side."

Mitch goes onto say that Rockfish will survive the current situation, and that it will do all it can to lend its strengths and resources to the communities in which we live and operate.

"Along with others we will be there to help ensure that when our liberties are returned life can quickly return to normal and we will look forward to welcoming everyone back to our restaurants," said Mitch.

"I have been incredibly humbled by the offers of support we have received and the numerous phone calls we have had from customers and fellow restaurateurs and chefs.

"We have read many inspirational stories from so many one thing is for sure it has bought out the best in everyone and has made me appreciate even more what a wonderful industry we all work in and how it is full of very special friendships."

Poole's Rockfish was built at the former Purbeck Pottery Site.