Fire-hit Oswestry restaurant ready to reopen six months on

It has been a tough few months for Lisa and Matt Newton, who own Brooks Around the Corner.

The restaurant was gutted by fire in November after a blaze started in a tumble dryer in the cellar.

The couple have worked tirelessly to reopen the business and they say the doors will be finally reopening next week.

An open night for local businesses will be staged on Wednesday next week and the restaurant, in Church Street, will open its doors for public bookings the next evening.

Mrs Newton said the reopening of the business would not have been possible without the "incredible support" of the community, local businesses and the restaurant's staff.

Throughout the closure of the restaurant, the business has still been able to run its schools meals service thanks to the support of local businesses.

Mrs Newton said: "If it was not for people's help and the support from local businesses we would not have been able to carry on.

"Our customers have been really understanding and so many people have been so supportive."

Mrs Newtown said she was getting her children ready to go to a bonfire night celebration when she was told about the fire by staff.

She said: "I got the call and they said there was a fire in a tumble dryer, nobody was hurt and the building had been evacuated.

"When I got there the road was sealed off and the fire service was there.

"Because of the location of the fire the firefighters had no choice but to flood the cellar."

Mrs Newton said after months of work, and missing out on the traditionally lucrative Christmas, Valentine's and Mother's Day custom, the couple were looking forward to the reopening.

She said: "It has been very stressful because you have got so much to sort out.

"But I know the restaurant will be even better now."