MYSTERY surrounds the sudden closure of a popular nightclub in Taunton town centre.

Unsuspecting clubbers arriving at Bliss (pictured) in East Street last week were turned away and ushered towards the Market House.

Rumours over the future of the venue soon spread on social networking sites, with hundreds of people using the Twitter hashtag #blissmemories to share their experiences of the nightclub.

Bosses at the venue have remained tight-lipped as to the reason for its sudden closure.

Manager Dave Brayley said he was 'in the dark' as to the future of Bliss and directed the County Gazette to speak to management company Volante Management.

However, despite repeated attempts, no-one at Volante or its subsidiary Yellowhammer Bars, which runs Bliss nightclubs across the country, responded to requests for comment.

A message on the Bliss website says it is 'temporarily' closed but does not give a reason.

Before Christmas, Volante Management issued a statement saying it was undergoing a 'strategic review' of its sites across the country.

Writing on Twitter, regulars at Bliss expressed their surprise at the closure.

Rach_emily2 tweeted: “So, Blockbuster, Pilot, Game, Monique, Bliss, & more are shutting down... Sounds like Taunton is gonna be a ghost town!”

Chloeehutchings said: “@TauntonBliss please don't close.”

aidriano89 added: “Sad to hear Bliss nightclub in Taunton is closing down.”

Michelle Andrews, general manager of the rival Okoko nightclub on Bridge Street, said: “We cater for a slightly different market to Bliss on weekend nights so it would be a shame if it closed.”

General manager of Cafe Mambo Rob MacDonald added: "We have noticed no decline in people wanting to enjoy themselves after a hard week at work, and as a business, understand you have to continually re invent yourself to offer something different, and we pride ourselves on this which is maybe where other businesses let themselves down.”

The future of music and DVD retailer HMV, which has a store in Taunton, looks more secure this week after the chain's debts were taken on by restructuring firm Hilco.