A Chester bar and restaurant which closed without any notice for customers or staff, has now appeared on the market available to rent.

North Light on Northgate Street suddenly shut its doors at the start of January, with a simple sign in the window which said, 'we are permanently closed'.

Its owner, The New World Trading company, has remained tight-lipped on the closure, despite repeated requests for comment from Chester Nub News.

The unit is now available for rent through property agent, Barker Proudlove, with the rent only available upon request.

The brochure said: "The property occupies a prominent location in the new Chester Northgate development, with entrances from Northgate Street and the square.

"Adjacencies include Turtle Bay, Cosy Club, Picture House and the award winning Chester Market."

Following the closure, rumours on social media suggest staff were simply informed in an email that they were no longer needed.

One user on Facebook commented: "They have closed due to the rent costs of the building.

"The staff and managment team have worked incredibly hard to fight against the rising costs of running a hospitality based business in the city centre.

"It's heartbreaking for them to have lost their livelihoods with no notice and thoughts should be with them at this time."

Another expressed their disappointment with the closure, as they said: "They shut down with no warning to staff only telling them on the day, they have sent this email out basically saying they won't be paying redundancy."

Similar stories from the company have been reported elsewhere in the country.

The former North Light building is now available for rent through property agent, Barker Proudlove (Nub News)

The Botanist in Leopold Square, Sheffield, which is also owned by New World Trading Company (NWTC), shut its doors permanently on January 6.

The venue closed following a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).

Coventry's Botanist branch also closed last week as part of the agreement.

In a statement to The Spirits Business, NWTC said: "New World Trading Company launched a CVA in October 2024, which was approved by more than 95% of all responding creditors.

"As part of the successful CVA process, the business has announced a further three non-profitable sites will close during January.

"The business has undergone changes to its estate across the last 18 months, including successfully rebranding The Club House, The Smugglers Cove, and The Canal House to The Botanist.

"NWTC has opened new locations under the Botanist brand in Edinburgh, Sunderland and Barnsley and will continue to expand in 2025 with a new Botanist opening in Bournemouth in May 2025."