ONE of Evesham's leading restaurants is preparing to re-open its doors to the public after suffering more than £100,000 worth of damage during the July floods.

Olivino on Port Street, which is run by Dutch-born Ronald Gijsel and his Turkish wife Nihan, will celebrate the occasion with a special gala evening for invited guests on Tuesday November 13 and doors will be open to the public from 5.30pm on Wednesday 14.

Nihan said: "We are delighted to be getting back to business again, in time for Christmas.

"We are very pleased with the progress. Our landlord Mr Tufo had builders working on the site day and night. He made sure we would get our restaurant back in time for Christmas. We are very grateful to him."

Regulars invited to the gala night will be entertained by live guitar music and will be welcomed by a special artiste from Italy.

The couple said: "It will be 16 weeks since the flood and it's been one big journey. The restaurant was extremely successful before the flood.

"We have been asked so many times a day when we are going to re-open. We are very proud to re-open again. Evesham needs a restaurant like Olivino.

"We are expecting a very busy Christmas as we were very successful last year. The restaurant has been tastefully refurbished and the Christmas menu is ready."

For further information or to make a booking, contact Nihan or Ronald on 01386 423341.