The Wheelhouse, a local crab and oyster bar based down Upton Slip closed for the "foreseeable future" in March due to the Coronavirus epidemic.

Now, the restaurant has provided an update on how things are progressing. In the meantime, pop-up takeaway Phobar is using the space.

On social media yesterday (14th), The Wheelhouse said it just wasn't ready to open yet, "I am mortally sorry to all the tables we have let down through summer - we just aren't ready to open safely yet, but we do aim to re-open - spike permitting - on September 2nd," owner Tina Hopton announced.

She added:

"We cannot take any bookings yet as we haven't got a table plan properly sorted but I will let you all know in mid-August I also want to thank everybody who has written and sent messages.

"It's overwhelming and I've been useless at replying because I just haven't known what to say. But those messages gave me hope in re-opening. So thank you."

The space was offered to former Wheelhouse chef Tom Herman for use.

Tom worked at The Wheelhouse as a chef from 2014 and plans to run Pho during the summer months, with help drafted in courtesy of Emma.

Pho - pronounced 'Fu' - the national dish of Vietnam, is a fragrant noodle soup dish, consisting of a delicate broth, rice noodles, fresh herbs, veg and (Meat).

Today (15th) was the first day of opening, it will be open 12-3 / 6-9 Wednesday - Saturday AND 12-4 Sunday.

Tom Herman told Nub News:

"Very excited but a little bit nervous, we have been serving quite a lot already so it seems to have been taken pretty well.

"I was unfortunate in going self-employed for a year just before this all happened so I am happy to be back working and it is great to just get a bit of normality back into the town, even if it is at a distance."

Click here to see more from Pho Bar and view the menu.