POPULAR Bournemouth seaside bar and restaurant Urban Reef has 'fully reopened' today after it was sold by Mark Cribb to independent brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame.

Mark Cribb, the former Urban Reef director, announced on Tuesday (July 19) that Urban Reef would close for the day to allow the new owners to 'settle in'.

The restaurant has officially reopened today under new ownership.

READ MORE: Urban Reef at Boscombe seafront has new owners

Shepherd Neame is a family-owned independent brewer and pub operator. Urban Reef is the brand’s first site in Bournemouth, and takes its total of pubs and hotels to 300, across Kent, London and the South East.

The Faversham-based independent family brewer will continue Urban Reef’s current popular food and drinks offer, and has also committed to retaining all its team members.

In a post on social media, former owner Mark Cribb said: "I believe we share the same ethos and values, and I'm confident they will do a fantastic job helping Urban Reef continue to evolve and serve the local community.”