CUSTOMERS and musicians were shocked when a well-established Weymouth nightspot suddenly shut its doors at the weekend.

Live acts were cancelled and drinkers headed for other pubs after Mariners in Maiden Street unexpectedly closed down.

The Mariners pub and connected Verdis nightclub were established 25 years ago and became known as a top independent live music venue.

The sound system, pool table and drinks have been removed and a sign was placed in the window reading: 'Verdis and Mariners is now closed forever, please make your way to the Tickled Hippy' - although the sign was gone by last night.

It is thought that the owners of the property took it back from the leaseholders, who own the Verdis and Mariners business.

The business was set up about 25 years ago by owner Mike Shalts, who died of cancer in 2001.

The venue has hosted famous DJs and groups, including the Ash band.

The manager and staff lost their jobs in the closure.

Manager Sammy Egan said: "It has been a nightmare. It all happened in the space of a day and was such a shock."

Hundreds of live acts and DJs had been booked to perform at the venue- at least five a week for the next year - but now all have to be cancelled.

The club had been pulling big crowds for independent dance music events after Verdis became a magnet for local DJs and promoters.

Miss Egan is having to cancel acts and expects to spend two weeks of unpaid work tying up the loose ends.

She is also searching for other venue owners to take on some of their acts.

Cary Lloyd, 21, from the Homegrown drum and bass collective, said they were devastated to lose their third 'home' since they started three years ago.

He said: "We put on our club nights for love not money, but now we have nowhere to go.

"There is not going to be an independent music scene in Weymouth any more.

"Other clubs play cheesy dance music."

Homegrown uses the money from ticket sales at its monthly club nights to pay for occasional famous DJs to play.

They will lose out on £790 on getting international DJ Nicky Blackmarket to play on April 30 if they can't find a new venue.

Mr Lloyd said: "Nicky Blackmarket is the king of drum and bass.

"We have got to find somewhere else for him to play or we lose our money."

Off the Rails, a group of five DJs, were due to put on a club night at Verdis this weekend.

Organiser Ian Hutton, 30, said: "That was the last venue where we could put any independent music nights on.

"There isn't anywhere else where you can put on your own night in Weymouth.

"It has always been the place to go if you want to hear something different."