Celebrity chef Mark Hix is to close one of his country pubs in Dorset.

He announced that The Fox Inn, in Corscombe, would be closing permanently as of Sunday, July 17.

He cited challenges such as rising costs and a difficulty to recruit staff "like I have never known in my whole career".

Mr Hix opened the Fox Inn during the pandemic in December 2020, stating at the time: “With all the challenges that we are facing, it’s great to be able to focus on an exciting new project. It’s important to me that I keep The Fox as a traditional local pub with great food and drink."

The pub won Best Trencherman’s Pub at the highly prestigious Trencherman’s Awards earlier this year.

As well as the pub, two luxury annexes offer B&B, and there's a private dining room where you can dine surrounded by Mr Hix’s personal collection of cookbooks.

The chef, born in West Bay, attended Weymouth College and forged a successful career in London before returning to Dorset.

Mr Hix, who has written a number of cookbooks and has made numerous TV appearances, also runs The Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis.

It opened at the site that was formerly HIX Oyster & Fish House which ceased trading in April 2020 when the board of WSH Limited made the decision to put all of HIX restaurants into administration, a decision that was not made or supported by Hix himself who was a minor shareholder in the business.

Announcing the closure of The Fox Inn, Mr Hix said: “I don’t need to tell anyone how hard it has been for everyone in the industry since Covid hit, and the challenges simply continue with rising costs and a difficulty to recruit like I have never known in my whole career.

“And so, with a heavy heart, it is time to permanently close the doors of The Fox Inn.

“I want to thank them for all their hard work, dedication, and loyalty, both to me and the business – they know who they are... I am feeling slightly numb having to close another business so soon after opening, but this is the reality so many of us are now facing.

"Thankfully, The Oyster & Fish House continues to do really well, and we do hope that our Fox guests will come and visit us on the coast as much as possible."