FORSTER'S Bistro and Deli, the 100-seat restaurant and bar in Bradford City Park, has announced it is closing its doors after three and a half years.

The venue was opened by bosses at Forster Community College in December 2012, and provided 16 full-time jobs alongside work experience and training opportunities for catering students at the college’s chefs’ academy.

At the time, the college was said to have signed a 15-year lease with Leeds-based property development and investment company Rushbond plc.

A statement on the restaurant's website and Twitter feed today read: "It is with great sadness Forster's Bistro & Deli has closed its doors as a commercial enterprise.

"Forster's Bistro & Deli would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts all our customers who have supported our social message for the last three and a half years.

"We have shared together some amazing moments, delivered some outstanding events, and are proud to have been part of Bradford's changing landscape."

Sheila Philpott, chief executive officer, of Forster Community College, was unavailable to comment on the reasons behind the restaurant's closure today.