BRIDGWATER nightclub Bliss will close after this weekend – due to staff shortages.

The nightspot, in the High Street, has been put up for sale by owners World Famous Dive Bars Ltd (WFDB), who said they hope it will “thrive under new ownership”.

Bliss Bridgwater opened in February 2024 and the owners said it had “operated profitably during its lifetime”.

However, they said the doors were closing at the 850-capacity venue for “purely operational” reasons.

“Despite being a profitable business, the company has been unable to secure a sufficiently large pool of skilled staff locally to maintain the high standard of service and safety the venue’s management and guest base expect,” a statement said.

“This is notwithstanding the fact that the business has offered compensation ahead of the local market rate.

“As a result, the directors have concluded that continuing trading under the current conditions is not viable over the long term.

“In light of this, the owners are now actively exploring the sale of the business and are open to approaches from interested parties.

“The Halloween weekend will serve as the final trading days under the current ownership, and an appropriate time for any transferral or successor tenant discussions.”

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WFDB Ltd director, Marc Griffiths, added: “We opened Bliss Bridgwater with the aim of delivering a first class nightlife experience for Bridgwater and the surrounding area.

“I’d like to thank every member of the team for their hard work and every guest who has chosen to spend a night with us.

“The decision to close has not been easy, but it is simply the right one given our operational constraints. We are now looking ahead with a sense of optimism that the business might thrive under new ownership.”

He said the management extended their sincere thanks to “staff and guests alike”, adding “your support, energy and commitment have been vital to the club’s success over its period of trading”.

On Friday (October 24), the club posted on social media that it was closed over the weekend due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

WFDB runs a number of venues in the south west, including Mother’s Ruin and The Greyhound, in Bristol.