A NEW restaurant will open tonight- more proof that Suffolk is fighting back against the recession.The restaurant, called the Kiln, is replacing the fish and chip shop next to The Limeburners pub in Offton.

A NEW restaurant will open tonight- more proof that Suffolk is fighting back against the recession.

The restaurant, called the Kiln, is replacing the fish and chip shop next to The Limeburners pub in Offton.

It will provide gastro-pub food cooked by award-winning chef Didier Piot.

Owner Kirk Bradley said it was a risk during the current economic crisis but he felt confident that the restaurant will prove successful.

Mr Bradley said: “We have got a new restaurant opening at a time when lots of pubs are closing.

“We are doing the opposite and employing local staff from the area.

“It is fantastic. We have heavily invested in an award-winning chef. It is a big challenge for us and we are taking a gamble”

During the past few years The Limeburners and its fish and chip shop have been affected by problems with burst water pipes.

In October 2006 The Limeburners, which is more than 250 years old, had to close due to subsidence following heavy rain and a burst water pipe. It only reopened the following June.

But just days after its grand reopening, the village was hit by another burst water main.

Mr Bradley said: “It has hammered the business and we needed to do something to get us back to where we need to be. It is a bit of a gamble in the current climate but we are confident that we can do it.

“We have got great support from the village. We have a really good local base and I cannot emphasise the support from the village enough. “

Mr Bradley said he has been working 17-hour days to get the restaurant open, and said the restaurant is fully booked for Friday and Saturday night.

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