The restaurant founded and co-owned by former international rugby player, Phil Vickery MBE, has ceased trading.

The last service at The Merryfellow - home of No. 3 Restaurants - in Charlton Kings was on January 14.

Phil Vickery MBE, founder and co-owner, said: "We are very sad to have reached this point and to have had to decide to cease trading. Like so many other establishments operating in the hospitality sector, the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, astronomic increases in energy bills, and a lack of support from the Government for the sector have had a devastating effect on trade.

"I would though like to thank our fantastic team of staff and loyal customers for all their support."

While The Merryfellow is closed for the foreseeable future, some of the existing team members are in discussions about the possibility of taking on the premises.

In the meantime, staff are contacting customers who have future bookings to advise them of the closure, and No. 3 has written to creditors.

No. 3 was founded in April 2020. Whilst the intention from the outset was to open in Royal Crescent in Cheltenham, the pandemic meant it initially operated out of Brickhampton Golf Club, offering a food collection service.

The business fully opened in Royal Crescent in July 2021. In July 2023, it moved from Royal Crescent to The Merryfellow in Charlton Kings, where it traded for just under six months.

Punchline-Gloucester.com said: "It's always sad to hear of a business closing. Unfortunately, the way the hosptiality trade is at the moment, this won't be the last one we report on in this quarter. 

"We believe the Government could have done more to support the hospitality sector during this difficult period. Adding the burden of the rise of the minimum wage in April isn't one of them. 

"We wish Phil and Tom and their crew all the very best."