The Bridge Brasserie restaurant is to close after three years in Chippenham.

Chris Bonsor, 31, said he was “gutted” to have to end his business but, despite working every possible hour, it was no longer sustainable.

Mr Bonsor, who is president of the Chippenham Chamber of Commerce, said: “It hasn’t worked for us here; there’s not one thing to blame, we just didn’t get it right.”

He opened the brasserie with friend Steve Smith in June 2011 on New Road, now a Pizza Hut delivery. It doubled in size to seat 60 when it moved into the Little George Pub in April last year, and was this year given a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor.

Mr Bonsor said: “There was a misconception that we were the most expensive place in Chippenham, the place to go for a special occasion.”

He said they tried to address that when they moved but were unable to shake it off.

“We did manage to attract a younger clientele at the new place, but it wasn’t enough,” he said.

“The juice wasn’t worth the squeeze for all the hard work and sacrifices I made in my personal life.”

The kitchen closed last Tuesday. The bar was open over the weekend but Mr Bonsor is not sure if it will be this coming weekend.

His partner, Mr Smith, left two months ago to take up a sous-chef position at a new hotel in Cirencester, and the three chefs have all found alternate work.

Mr Bonsor said he would like to stay in Chippenham and will carry on as president of the Chippenham Chamber of Commerce until March 2015.

He must now make a decision whether to sell the restaurant as a going concern or to declare insolvency.

He said: “It is a nice building. I think someone with fresh eyes could make a go of it.”