A POPULAR Sunnybank restaurant has been forced to close suddenly.

Caribbean Vybz in Sunny Bank Road shut last week leaving the owners 'devastated and in disbelief'.

The reasons for the closure are as yet unclear, however the owners have confirmed they will be starting a new venture in Oldham.

They also thanked customers for their loyalty and support.

A statement posted on the restaurant's Facebook page said: "To all of our lovely customers and everyone who has ever supported us, as of this moment forward Caribbean Vybz on Sunny Bank Road is closed.

"This decision is completely out of our hands and we are absolutely devastated and still in disbelief.

"We had big plans for the shop on Sunnybank, and it was no secret that the community loved us.

"We had regular customers who would go out of their way to help us, and our staff have always stayed committed to us.

"There has been so many times where customers have helped out off their own back when we’ve been busy, I can go on for days about all the times you have helped us you guys have shown nothing but love and support and we can’t thank you all enough."

"Caribbean Vybz isn’t known for the shop or the location, it’s the good food and service what is we’re all about. I know a lot of you will be confused and upset by this news but we hope to have you all supporting us on our next venture, we are soon opening our other shop which will be situated in Oldham.

"This has been a lesson for us and it’s only onwards and upwards from this day forward, next time being better than ever.

"We will explain more in a few days on what has happened, we have just been extremely busy and still trying to get our heads around this. Thank you."

Caribbean Vybz opened in 2018 serving a variety of West Indian inspired dishes.

However the restaurant only had one food hygiene star, according to Food Hygiene Ratings, after being inspected in November last year.