A POPULAR Poole restaurant has gone out of business.

Maison Sax, at Ashley Cross, was a casualty of the Omicron crisis, according to the firm set to be appointed to liquidate the business.

Maison Sax was the trading name of La Cave Dorset, which is set to appoint liquidators this week.

The restaurant’s founder, David Sax, left as a director in 2020.

A statement from RSM UK said: “Phillip Sykes and Glen Carter of RSM UK Restructuring LLP are proposed to be appointed as Joint Liquidators of La Cave Dorset Limited, which traded as the Maison Sax Restaurant, on Thursday, February 10.

“The business suffered following the onset of the pandemic.

“Despite an increase in trade through the summer of 2021, public concern regarding the Omicron variant of Covid-19 hindered the business further and significantly reduced its festive bookings. The company subsequently ceased to trade.”

Maison Sax opened in September 2018 in the former Brit pub in Britannia Road, as a French-inspired bistro and bar.

Its website still carries a message saying: “We are currently closed throughout January 2022. We look forward to welcoming you back.”

The Daily Echo has seen a WhatsApp message received by staff.

It said: “I’ve been informed this morning that the shareholders have appointed administrators and that the company will not be reopening.This is obviously bad news for all of us as we are out of a job.”

It added: “I am very sad for everyone involved and can only thank everyone for all your hard work and efforts to make Maison a success. Unfortunately I am just the messenger in this and am also losing my job.”