A POPULAR Italian restaurant remains closed after shutting its doors in March.

Otello in Church Road, Hove had been serving “modern, Italian food” for more than 20 years.

The venue was forced to temporarily close in March alongside other pubs, clubs and bars, as part of nationwide lockdown measures.

However, the doors to the restaurant remained firmly closed when venues were given the green light to reopen on June 4.

The windows to the restaurant have been painted over and the building is currently listed on Graves Jenkins property website.

But the restaurant remained closed without explanation and no official statement has been issued on the Otello website or on any of its social media channels.

Two customers have taken to online review site, Tripadvisor, to express their sadness.

One user wrote: “So sorry to see Othello’s closed. Many a family celebration took place here over the last 15 years.

“We were always made to feel welcome and the food was always consistently good.

“Best wishes to all the staff, we will miss you!”

Another wrote: “After coming here for almost two decades, I am gutted to see that it looks like Otello’s has closed down.

“The staff, the food and the service was always sublime and I am so upset to realise that the last time I dined at Otello’s would be the last forever.

“Thank you to all the staff who made this place our regular time and time again.”

The news comes as another well-loved café, Marwood Bar and Coffeehouse in Ship Street shut in September after social distancing measures hampered its ability to open.

Further restrictions, including the 10pm curfew for all bars and restaurants, are forcing business to adapt.

Top chefs from around the UK including, Marcus Wareing and Paul Ainsworth, are urging the government to create a minister for hospitality to defend their interests during the pandemic.

While some restaurants were able to benefit from the Eat Out To Help Out Scheme in August, the initiative came after months of lost trade.

If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the government will have to respond.

If it surpasses that milestone to reach 100,000 signatures, it will then be at a stage where it is considered for debate.