A bar founder who has announced the imminent closure of his business says current trading conditions in the island are the worst he’s seen in 10 years.

Phil Taylor, a co-director of Rock Food Concepts (RFC) which runs a number of food and drink venues in the island, said it was with a ’heavy heart’ that the Bath & Bottle on Victoria Street in Douglas will close in the New Year.

The bar will close for the final time on January 4 after seven years of serving cocktails and hosting community events.

Mr Taylor told the Courier: ’It’s an operational decision which reflects the economic climate on the Isle of Man.

’The hospitality industry is tough at the best of times and trading conditions are the worst they have been in the 10 years RFC has been in business.’

Opening in August 2012, it was the second venue set up by RFC. The first was 14North on North Quay, Douglas.

The company later opened Little Fish Cafe on the North Quay and run the restaurant at The Bay Hotel on Shore Road, Port Erin.

Mr Taylor said: ’It is with a heavy heart and slightly teary eyes that we inform you Bath & Bottle will close its doors for the final time in just a few weeks. It has been seven magnificent years but, like all good things, must come to an end.’

The team deliberated ’long and hard’ about the decision, he said, but it came down to ’micro and macro economic factors, predominantly out of our control’.

Mr Taylor thanked ’loyal customers’ and his team for their efforts over the years, who also ran regular film nights, pop-up events and live performances at the venue.

They intend to ’go out with a bang’ with a Narnia-inspired pop up throughout December and a ticketed New Year’s Eve party before closing in 2020.