Colchester's Middletons steakhouse has re-opened after footing an emergency £150k repair bill

Middletons Steakhouse and Grill, in North Hill, Colchester, had to close suddenly last month for four weeks so essential maintenance work could take place.

Staff spotted the leak in early October after noticing floorboards had begun to lift.

When the problem was inspected by experts, they found water was lying under the entire ground floor, meaning major work was needed immediately.

During the closure, bosses took the opportunity to refurbish the interior.

The eaterie has now re-opened - just in time for Christmas.

While the restaurant was closed, staff- where possible - were temporarily relocated to other Middletons restaurants.

All staff were paid even if they could not work.

Stephen Hutton, managing director of Middletons Steakhouse & Grill, said: “We’re really pleased to be reopening our restaurant in Colchester again.

“It was a really unfortunate that we were forced to close but this was an emergency and I want to thank everyone who helped us with all the works.”

He added: “To mark the reopening, we’ve launched a special 25 per cent discount voucher for the month of November.”

The chain - which launched in July 2011 when it opened its first restaurant close to its own butchery in Middleton, Norfolk - has been in Colchester since November 2014.

It employs about 45 full-time and part-time staff and can seat 150 diners.