Thompson's on the Isle of Wight to close with plans for new site

Chef Robert Thompson has announced the imminent closure of his first restaurant amid plans to launch two more.

The chef, who was awarded an MBE during the King's Birthday Honours in June last year, opened Thompson's on the Isle of Wight in July 2015.

In an email to subscribers, he said: "With every journey, there is a beginning and, of course, an end, and for my first restaurant with all its charm, the time has come. Thompson's will close its doors after service on 17 February, and I look forward to seeing what the place I've loved will become."

However, he hinted that Thompson's will reopen in the autumn "in a new, fully designed space, of course still on the Island of which I'm so fond".

Plans to open a second restaurant in early March are also in place.

"I'll be sure to share everything with you in the next week or so, and you'll hear the full news, together with menus and booking information, via this newsletter and my Instagram page @chefrobertthompson," he added.

Photo: David Griffen