A Durham restaurant tipped in the Michelin Guide has announced it has closed.

Finbarr’s Restaurant, in the Aykley Heads area of the city, has served its final meals and closed its doors for the last time.

The venue blamed the “current economic climate”, saying it is “not financially viable” for it to keep trading.

Read more: Teenager, 14, fighting for his life after crash leaves him with head injuries

A statement on its website said: “It is with much regret that Finbarr’s Restaurant has closed its doors as of Friday 28th July.

“In the current economic climate, with increasing costs and uncertainty, it is just not financially viable to continue.

“We would like to thank all our loyal customers and staff over the last 13 years who have supported our journey.”

The restaurant was tipped in the Michelin guide which said: “Finbarr’s sits in an attractively converted farm building on the edge of the city and comes with a contented buzz.

“Menus offer plenty of choice and the hearty brasserie cooking suits the area well. If the weather’s good, start with a drink in the lovely inner courtyard.”

One disappointed customer told the Echo: “We had booked Finbarr’s in Durham and got a call last week to say they had closed due to rising costs.

Read next:

Get more from The Northern Echo now for just £6 for 6 months with a Premium Plus digital subscription. Click here

“It’s been open since 2010 and was the best food in Durham City.”

The restaurant moved to the Aykley Heads area in 2016 after it was forced to vacate its old premises at the Kingslodge Hotel in Waddington Street, after co-owner Barry O’Leary was given just 24 hours to move out by landlords.

When the old venue closed, the restaurant was forced to apologise to dozens of customers who were left disappointed after making bookings to celebrate Mother’s Day. It reopened a short time later in the former Bistro 21 premises.