TRIBUTES have poured in for a Newport burger restaurant after it announced plans to close its doors next month.

Pretentious Burger Kitchen, on Newport High Street, was launched in November last year by trio Daniel Whittaker, Jem French and Andrew Bond, all from Newport.

Since opening, the business has received rave reviews, coming ninth in the National Burger Awards 2016 as Wales’ only entry.

Despite this, the restaurant will close on Saturday September 17, citing personal commitments and a “lack of business” over the school holidays.

An official announcement, posted on social media, states the business will not renew its tenancy agreement at its current location but continue to develop its street food side of the business.

Co-owner Jem French has said he is “gutted” about the decision, citing lack of customers and balancing full-time job as reasons for the closure.

“A lot of people who have visited have said the burgers are the best they have ever eaten and that they're better than anything you can get in Cardiff.

“We thought we would do something in Newport as we’re all from here but I think it is partially our fault.

“There was a big downturn over the summer holidays and when that happens it can kick you in the teeth. One in twenty of our customers might be a child.

“The lease was also coming up and it was about a year (since we opened) so the time was right [...] but we’re 100 percent going to continue and grow Pretentious as much as possible."

“In a perfect world we would open in Friars Walk,” he added.

With a focus on taking burgers “back to basics” the kitchen bakes its own brioche buns and treats its meat to a three-stage mincing process.

Its irreverent branding, custom menu and food challenges have also made it a hit with customers, with visitors travelling from across the UK to sample the Newport menu.

Mr French added that the business will continue in a pop-up format, with short-term plans of monthly food service at the Depot venue, in Cardiff.

“We want to thank all our customers as we have had a really loyal following and it is really sad. It really reinforces that what we did was great,” he said.

“With a restaurant you can have issues with preparation time but with a pop up you can be more diverse and it should be really interesting.

“We can’t stress enough how much we appreciate the support.”

The burger kitchen is taking bookings for its final few weeks and will also host a closing night party, with “details to be announced shortly”.

For more information on Pretentious Burger, visit pretentiousmeat.com.