A popular Dorset restaurant has closed 10 months after it opened.

Drgnfly Pan Asian restaurant in Brewery Square, Dorchester has announced its sudden closure today (Wednesday, August 28).

A spokesperson for Drgnfly said: “It has been decided that Drgnfly Dorchester will sadly cease trading effective immediately, a disappointing outcome to such support we have received from our guests, regular and new. We would like to thank you for all those that joined us over the short time that we were in Dorchester, and we hope to return somewhere in the future.

“Our Poole restaurant will be re-opening from the 6th of September with a fresh look and refreshed menu, if you’d like to join us, please email poole@drgnfly.co.uk.

“All deposits made via our booking system have already had refunds initiated and all bookings are now cancelled indefinitely.”

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Drgnfly was an elegant Pan-Asian restaurant, offering a fusion of 'delicious cuisine' and 'show stopping mixology'.

Its opening brought new jobs to the county town and was the second Drgnfly restaurant to open, following the success of its original venue in Ashley Cross, Poole. 

The venue had a restaurant situated on the ground floor and a bar area down below where drinkers could enjoy cocktails and nibbles.

Last week, the venue shared an update ahead of the newly announced closure saying: "We have made the decision to close our doors temporarily for essential works that will help us deliver our service and food to you in high standard we always aim to deliver."

Phil Gordon, Dorchester Business Improvement District (BID) Director, said: “I heard this week that it sounded like they were not going to re-open having claimed that they were closing for works.

“Overall, I am massively disappointed and saddened, they had a great restaurant there with delicious food. I was looking forward to them being there for a long time and have enjoyed two or three meals there myself.

“The building won’t remain empty for long, it’s in a very good location.”

Mr Gordon added that over the last two years, the number of new businesses in Dorchester has been 'quite staggering' compared to the rest of the UK.

He said: "Many high streets have been struggling with occupancy levels, but in Dorchester, we have had 25 new shops and businesses open in that time – of course there’s always going to be a bit of churn."

The sudden closure comes just weeks after Merchant House also in Brewery Square closed its doors.