Littleborough's Waterside Restaurant reopens six months after devastating fire

The Waterside Restaurant in Littleborough is reopening, six months after being devastated by fire.

The kitchen was the only room directly affected by the May blaze, which was caused by a fault in the wiring to an exit sign, with the rest of the restaurant, and upstairs flat, badly damaged by smoke.

Now the restaurant has been refurbished, with a retiled bar area, an open kitchen and booths near the bar.

The flat has also been renovated after its previous tenants had to move out, and has now been re-let to a new couple.

 

 

The restaurant will keep the same menu, and has reopened for bookings only from 8 November, and expects to reopen as usual from Friday 11 November.

Lisa Groom, who runs the restaurant, said: “That night I’d been asked to stay up for a drink but I went to bed. I wish I’d have stayed up now; we might have caught it in time.”
 

Read more: Devastation as fire breaks out at Littleborough’s Waterside RestaurantPublished: 20 May 2022

Before the fire, Lisa says that it had been the restaurant’s busiest year in 20 years.

She says she and husband Kris have used all their life savings to restore The Waterside as she has only recently been told that insurance won’t pay out. Lisa plans to appeal this decision.

Lisa said: “We would like to thank the fire and emergency services for their massively quick response, and all family, customers and friends who have kindly offered help in what has to be our worst year.

“We have worked tirelessly to rebuild. The restaurant inside was totally gutted; the kitchen was destroyed but the main restaurant was heavily smoke damaged. The ceilings, walls and every inch of the restaurant was thick with a black thick soot and the fumes and smell were unbearable. Every item had to be destroyed.

“We have had absolutely no help from the insurance - it's all our own money - but we have had no choice because as it was our business and all our hard work over the 20 years was destroyed.

“All our tradespeople, too many to mention, have done a great job trying to rebuild a burntout shell.

“We have been overwhelmed with the messages of support and we hope in this difficult climate to rebuild what was and try to keep a positive mind.”

 

 

“We have retiled the bar and changed to an open kitchen so customers can watch the chefs cooking,” Lisa said. “It’s much classier looking and you can now pop in to sit at the bar and have a few small plates, rather than a full meal.”

Lisa is also planning on a soft opening night – with wine, cheese and canapes – at the end of the month for regular customers, staff, and everyone who has helped get the Waterside back up and running.

If you would like to attend the night, please contact Lisa directly on 07960 316 037.