Second floor restaurant re-opens after refurbishment
The major of Ipswich, Roger Fern, opened a new-look restaurant in Debenhams department store, in Ipswich, on Monday.
The restaurant had been closed for one week for a new look and a refurbishment which includes new decor, new hot food serving points and art work of famous Ipswich scenes including the Town Hall, Giles’ Grandma statue and the Orwell Bridge.
Debehams restaurant, with around 200 seats, is probably the largest restaurant in the town centre.
Restaurant manager Jay Dallamore has been working here, for Debenhams for five years.
He said: “I am really pleased to be open again.
“It has been a challenging week and I am very proud of the team. We have pulled together on this and we are pleased to be welcoming our loyal customers back again.
“I am very pleased to be working for a company which has invested in the team and the restaurant here.”
The restaurant opens all year round for customers.
“We are only closed on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day,” he explained. The changes included more hot food serving capacity to help with busy breakfast and lunchtimes, he added.
Store manager Neil Roberts said it was a major investment in the store in Ipswich.
“I am really excited,” he said, “It is a very successful restaurant here, on the second floor, where it has been for 40 years. The customer loyalty is very strong and we have invested in the restaurant. It needed improving.
“We hope they like it.”
This was the latest investment in the important Ipswich site, he said.
“A couple of years ago we signed a 125 year lease and Debenhams is very committed to Ipswich. We trade very successfully in the town.”
Debenhams was also a major employer in the town with almost 500 staff within the department store, with approximately 300 for Debenhams and another 200 for concessions within the building.
At peak times of the year, such as Christmas, additional staff were taken on taking the numbers up to 600 to 650.
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