A SWANKY new restaurant in Poole closed six weeks after it opened after failing to pick up enough business – leaving customers disappointed.

Driftwood Brasserie at Dolphin Quays launched on October 12 – and closed a month and a half later. It is expected to re-launch sometime in 2010.

The closure came as a shock to at least one Poole couple who had reserved a table there three weeks in advance.

Darren Hayward had planned a birthday treat for his partner Louise Murray, even ordering her a cake and a rose to make the evening extra special.

But when he turned up at Poole restaurant on Tuesday, December 15, he found it closed and in darkness, with no explanation why.

Darren, 34, a senior stylist at Scissors salon in the town, said: “The tables were all laid, but the place was completely dark. We were stood outside in the rain thinking what do we do now?”

He added: “It ruined it a bit for me, and for her.”

Luckily the night was rescued by nearby restaurant Italian Gossip, where they were given free drinks and the staff even sang Happy Birthday.

Paul Podvoiskis, owner of Driftwood, told the Echo he had personally called everyone with bookings, and apologised that two had slipped through he net.

He said he had intended to open Driftwood before the summer but the project was delayed.

“We opened after the season when trade is generally in the doldrums and found it just wasn’t picking up the way it should have.

“The decision was taken to close and re-launch next year.”

When the Daily Echo checked there was no message to indicate the restaurant was closed on its answering machine or website. Mr Podvoiskis said he would update them both.

Daniel Chapman, investment director of Skelton Group, which owns Dolphin Quays, said: “I would encourage locals to visit the quay during the winter to support the excellent businesses that are there all year around rather than just being there for the tourists during the summer season.”

l Another Dolphin Quays restaurant, Bamboula, closed earlier this year and remains empty. A second empty unit is earmarked for a Tesco Express store.