It was one of Ipswich’s best-loved, award-winning restaurants for many years - but do you remember Old Orleans at Cardinal Park?

East Anglian Daily Times: People enjoying a night out at Old Orleans in Ipswich in 2003. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARYPeople enjoying a night out at Old Orleans in Ipswich in 2003. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY

The restaurant was a popular haunt for many people in the town, as these pictures of people enjoying themselves in 2003 show.

In 2011, it even won Best Family Friendly Restaurant in Ipswich at the Best Bar None Awards.

East Anglian Daily Times: Inside the Old Orleans restaurant in Ipswich. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARYInside the Old Orleans restaurant in Ipswich. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY

Yet just weeks later, the Ipswich Evening Star reported how the venue was forced to close after landlord Legal and General decided against renewing the firm’s tenancy.

A spokesman for Old Orleans said at the time: “We are extremely disappointed, but there is absolutely nothing we can do about it and we have no option other than to move out.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Can you spot yourself on a night out at Old Orleans in Ipswich from 2003? Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARYCan you spot yourself on a night out at Old Orleans in Ipswich from 2003? Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY

It was understood that around 40 jobs were lost at that time, around three-quarters being part-time.

? What are your memories of Old Orleans? Email Andrew Papworth or write to Andrew Papworth, Newsroom, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1RS.

East Anglian Daily Times: Fun on a night out at Old Orleans in Ipswich in 2003. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARYFun on a night out at Old Orleans in Ipswich in 2003. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY

? To order photos, visit our photo sales page or call Diane Townsend on 01603 772449.

East Anglian Daily Times: Old Orleans at Ipswich's Cardinal Park closed in 2003, to the disappointment of many. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARYOld Orleans at Ipswich's Cardinal Park closed in 2003, to the disappointment of many. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY

East Anglian Daily Times: Do you remember going to Old Orleans at Cardinal Park, Ipswich? This picture was taken in 2003. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARYDo you remember going to Old Orleans at Cardinal Park, Ipswich? This picture was taken in 2003. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY

East Anglian Daily Times: A night out at Old Orleans, at Cardinal Park in Ipswich, in 2003. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARYA night out at Old Orleans, at Cardinal Park in Ipswich, in 2003. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY