A POPULAR seafront bar has temporarily shut after a 'large number' of staff members being told to self-isolate.

The Nook, based on the Esplanade in Weymouth, made the announcement on Friday (July 23) due to employees being told to self-isolate by the NHS Covid-19 app.

A spokesman said they were 'obviously devastated' to make the decision to close, citing that service to customers would have been not up to their usual 'high standards'.

It is unknown when the cocktail bar will reopen but it is hoped they will make an announcement following the weekend.

The bar added they were 'so grateful' for their customers' support so far this year and hoped to have a 'mega summer'.

In a statement on social media, a spokesman for the Nook wrote: "Happy Friday Nookies!! We are not used to bad news statuses but sadly this is going to be one.

"Due to a large number of the team getting pinged earlier in the week and having to self isolate, we are going to be unable to maintain our high standards of service and therefore taken the very hard decision to temporarily close.

"We are obviously devastated that we will be unable to have you all in to party for the next few days but we believe this is the right thing to do.

"Once we have a full team back up and running (hopefully by mid next week) we will look forward to getting this summer back on track.

"We are so grateful for all the support we’ve had since reopening our doors back in April and we are certain this is just a hiccup in what’s going to be a mega summer!

"We will update after the weekend with hopefully a reopening date.

"Sending big love, The Nook Cocktail Club Team x"