Soul food restaurant Sweet P’s is due to reopen next week after a devastating kitchen fire six months ago.

The finishing touches are now taking place within the building in Upper Orwell Street, Ipswich, ready for the launch next Saturday.

Owner and head chef Pierre Rollins, 35, said a number of new dishes had been added to the menu, including mash and gravy.

“I’m definitely excited for the opening,” Mr Rollins said. “I’m itching to get back to work, I’m a person who likes to be doing things and I have been lost for the past six months. I’m just hoping that everyone hasn’t forgotten about us.”

Mr Rollins said the kitchen was different and there were new tiles on the floor but the general interior would be much the same as before.

The fire broke out at Sweet P’s around 12.15pm on April 24 and started in the deep fat fryer.

Four fire crews tackled the blaze but the restaurant was forced to close for repairs.