Restaurant reopens after storm devastation

A popular restaurant in Sutton Park is set to reopen on Wednesday after its canopy tent was destroyed during Storm Goretti.

The Bracebridge suffered extensive damage when heavy snow, wind and rain caused the structure to collapse, and staff and volunteers have spent days clearing debris in an attempt to reopen as quickly as possible.

The owners said they faced major costs after discovering their insurance did not cover storm damage.

Mark Southall said when he came to open the venue on Saturday, he realised something was wrong as soon as he arrived, adding: "When I got to the top of the road and couldn't see the tent, my heart sank. I knew exactly what had happened."

The storm caused the venue's large open canopy tent to collapse, flattening furniture, ripping the structure and cutting internet connectivity.

"As I got closer, I could see the extent of the damage. The poles had gone through it, ripping it in multiple places," Southall said.

"It's an absolute disaster – it's heartbreaking."

Volunteers have since joined staff to help with the clean-up.

Ben Todd, who has been helping at the site, said the tent had been a popular feature of the venue.

"I've been here as a customer and it looks beautiful overlooking Bracebridge Pool," he said.

"To see it flattened over the furniture, with lights smashed, was a real shock. But everyone's come together to help."

The venue's owner, Sam Morgan, said the team had worked intensively to reopen.

The 43-year-old said: "We're pushing to be open on Wednesday."

"As long as the electrics and connectivity are sorted, there's no reason we can't open."

He said the recovery had been made more difficult after being told the damage was not covered by insurance.

"When you're a business paying significant amounts, hearing that storms aren't covered, you wonder what the point in paying for insurance is," he said.

Despite the setback, he added: "Watch this space, the Bracebridge will be back – and it will be back even better."

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