THE owners of the Quayside Restaurant at Swanage's Mowlem Theatre have put themselves into voluntary liquidation, according to the trustees of the Mowlem Institute charity.

Restaurant owner Chris Wood opened the theatre bar and restaurant in January 2013 after the unit was vacant for more than two years.

However, a statement released by the trustees explained: "With regret, Quayside have put themselves into voluntary liquidation. They appointed liquidators, who proceeded to disclaim their lease thereby forfeiting the tenancy. We then had to repossess the premises."

David Bale, from the Mowlem Theatre said the trustees have already approached a commercial agent, Willis Commercial, and tasked them with finding a new, long-term tenant.

The statement continued: "As this process can take months to complete, we also raised the possibility of finding an immediate, temporary tenant to keep the restaurant and bars open.

"On this front, they have already been contacted by several interested parties, so hopefully the restaurant will not be closed for too long.

"In the meantime we ask that you bear with us and be assured that we are doing everything we can to restore the facilities at the Mowlem."

The theatre, cinema and community room remain open as usual.

After opening Quayside more than two years ago Mr Wood explained: "We've just come from running our own pub in Warwick for the last five years. I holidayed down here as a kid and then started bringing my family here as well.

"We've always wanted something by the sea. The whole theatre package is about having a drink at the interval and that has been lacking for almost three years now.

"We want to put this place back on the seafront for local people. The locals will always come first with us."