TWO restaurants and a coffee shop in Weymouth and Dorchester have shut their doors suddenly just weeks after opening.

Funkin Fries opened in a blaze of glory in Weymouth’s St Thomas Street in mid-July with the promise of ‘unique’ food and drinks based on an American-themed menu.

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Dorset Echo: The closed Funkin Fries site in St Thomas StreetThe closed Funkin Fries site in St Thomas Street

The opening came following the launch of Funkin Desserts, also in St Thomas Street, and a venue in South Street, Dorchester, which opened on March 26.

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Dorset Echo: The Funkin Fries site in South Street, DorchesterThe Funkin Fries site in South Street, Dorchester

Andy Phillips launched the venture with former business partner Aaron Bradder.

However, the restaurants have been marred by some poor reviews online from disappointed customers who complained about the quality of the food offering - and all sites have now closed their doors.

Dorset Echo: One Google review from a disappointed customer who bought food from the Dorchester site. Picture: GoogleOne Google review from a disappointed customer who bought food from the Dorchester site. Picture: Google

A spokesman for the former owners has said all three sites have been shut due to ‘many factors’ - one of which was a lack of staff due to the ‘pingdemic’ which refers to people notified by the NHS Covid-19 app and has had a disastrous impact on hospitality businesses up and down the country.

He said: “There are many factors.

“The pingdemic crippled us financially.”

The spokesman said the pair have sold their shares on.

The restaurant and coffee shop, both in St Thomas Street, have been shut for around three weeks.

Dorset Echo: Funkin Desserts in St Thomas Street, near The EsplanadeFunkin Desserts in St Thomas Street, near The Esplanade

According to Mr Phillips at the time, the opening of the first site in Dorchester, in late March, saw the hiring of 12 staff.

The launch of Funkin Desserts in early June saw the hiring of five members of staff, while the Funkin Fries restaurant in Weymouth was set to bring in more than 20 jobs.

The restaurant, in St Thomas Street, filled the empty space left by the former Emporium Tattoo Parlour.

Speaking in mid-July, Mr Phillips said there were plans to expand the Funkin empire and open more sites in Bournemouth, Poole and Southampton.

No update was provided on the future of members of staff who had been employed by the company.

Ian Girling, Dorset Chamber chief executive, said: “Vibrant high streets are crucial for the future of our town centres and I hope these units in Weymouth and Dorchester are back in use again soon.”