THE owners of a Knutsford seafood restaurant have confirmed to the Guardian that they have sold the unit and it will be closing 'early in the New Year'.

Greene King, owners of the Loch Fyne seafood restaurants, said today, Friday, that both the Knutsford and Alderley Edge restaurants would be closing.

The company added the site in the Royal George development had been sold but could not say what would open in its place.

Loch Fyne opened in 2007 after the refurbishment of the Royal George site.

A spokesperson for Loch Fyne Seafood & Grill said: "Sadly, after very careful consideration we have taken the difficult decision to sell our restaurants in Alderley Edge and Knutsford to enable us to reinvest in our estate and open new restaurants in areas where they will do well.

"Our team from the Alderlely Edge restaurant is temporarily working at Loch Fyne in Knutsford until both teams then transfer across to the employment of the new owners of each restaurant.

"We would like to thank our customers for their support over the years and very much hope that we will see them in one of our other restaurants soon."

The Guardian contact the team at the Loch Fyne on Thursday but they said they were unaware of the company's plans. 

However, the spokesperson added that all staff had been told of the situation.