Work to rebuild a popular Ipswich town centre restaurant damaged in a fire is expected to start next week.

The Townhouse Restaurant has been closed for almost six weeks after a blaze tore through the Orwell Place venue on January 9.

Morgan Decker, owner of the restaurant, spoke of his heartbreak in the aftermath of the kitchen blaze. Eight fire engines were called to tackle the flames, believed to have erupted in the kitchen’s extractor fan.

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But Mr Decker said the “wheels are now in motion” after confirming repair work is due to start next week.

In the aftermath of the fire the restaurant owner vowed to return the business back to its former glory.

“We are sorry for keeping everyone waiting but we will open as soon as possible,” he said.

“We are sorry for the time being taken to reopen but it is out of our hands.

“But we will reopen and are hoping to do so towards the end of March after the repair work and everything else has been sorted.”