A celebrity chef said it is with a 'heavy heart' that he has decided to shut his popular Lyme Regis restaurant.

The Oyster & Fish House in Lister Gardens will be closing in a month's time, its owner Mark Hix has announced.

The Saturday Kitchen star opened the restaurant in 2008 under the name HIX Oyster & Fish House which ceased trading in 2020, but the West Bay native reopened the restaurant as The Oyster & Fish House once lockdown restrictions were lifted.

The restauranteur and food critic also had a battle with Lyme Regis Town Council over an outdoor seating area in 2023 which he was forced to take down.

On the closing of the restaurant, Mr Hix said: "In 2008, I opened my first solo ventures – one in London and one in Dorset.

"It’s safe to say there have been some ups and downs over the years, particularly with the pandemic, as well as increasing challenges and pressures on the industry.

I always think if you’re going to stop doing something, you should always go out on a high. And so, with heavy heart,

"I am announcing the closure of The Oyster & Fish House on December 7 this year.

However, despite Hix closing the restaurant down, it will be taken over by new ownership, although, details of this have yet to be confirmed.

He added: "The restaurant, along with the team, will be taken over in the very near future, and news of that will follow next week.

"But for now, I wanted to personally say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported the business over the years.

"We have made some fantastic and loyal friendships, we’ve run countless successful events with incredible chefs including Food Rocks, we’ve raised huge amounts for charity and worked with some very talented and dedicated staff members.

"Being a Dorset boy, this will always be my home, and I will continue to work in both Dorset and London."

Food lovers will still be able to experience Mr Hix's food though, as he will still be continuing his Kitchen Tables experience, where diners can book a spot for dinner at his home in Charmouth.

Mr Hix continued: "I have no plans to open any more restaurants in the future and I will certainly miss my Lyme Regis restaurant, but I will cherish the memories that I have made over the last 16 years.

"I am now looking forward to focusing on new projects, which will always include my Kitchen Tables events at my Charmouth home.

"So, you might not be able to dine at The Fish House any more, but you can still come and dine with me at my house."