TONY Hadley, the front man of 80s band Spandau Ballet, is to perform the opening ceremony at a new brasserie, delicatessen and food hall on the Ipswich Waterfront next week.

TONY Hadley, the front man of 80s band Spandau Ballet, is to perform the opening ceremony at a new brasserie, delicatessen and food hall on the Ipswich Waterfront next week.

Independent catering company Couture has taken space on the ground floor of the University Campus Suffolk building at Nepture Quay, with the brasserie to be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week from Thursday, May 21 onwards.

The officially opening, which is by invitation only, will take place the evening before, with Tony Hadley not only cutting a ribbon but also launching Hadley's Gold, a new premium ale brewed by the Red Rat craft brewery in Bury St Edmunds, which he part-owns.

Couture was founded in 2007 by Marc Warde and has 10 locations across the UK, including the world-famous Pinewood Studios, Canary Wharf in London's Docklands and the renowned caf� at The Manchester Museum.

Mr Warde, who was born and raised in Bury St Edmunds, said: “I am delighted and proud to be opening our first site in Suffolk.

“The county is home to some of the finest produce in the UK and we are delighted to support local farmers and artisan suppliers.

“As a former student of the university it also great to be involved in this landmark new building in such a prestigious location.”

The 120-seat brasserie will concentrate on classic British dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Long-forgotten recipes, such as Bacon Frois from the 15th Century and Fidget Pie, will be championed, together with spit-roast free-range Sutton Hoo chicken, Essex bangers and mash and braised ox cheeks, as well as a range of light meals and salads.

The delicatessen and foodhall will sell high-end groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, British speciality cheeses, Suffolk real ales, fine wines, cakes and pastries, cured meats, as well as handmade ice cream and chocolate. Take-away sandwiches will also be available from the deli, and there will be a soft seating area for customers to relax with a cup of coffee and read the papers.