RESTAURANT manager Giuseppe Pinto has thanked everyone for their support as Piccolino in Alderley Edge prepares to reopen this evening (Friday) a week after a fire.

The business has been closed since Thursday for repairs following a fire in the roof of the restaurant.

A Piccolino spokesman said thanks to the prompt action of the restaurant team and emergency services the building was safely evacuated, and the fire quickly extinguished.

He said: “Water damage and repairs to the roof however saw the restaurant required to close whilst restorative work was conducted.”

Piccolino will reopen its doors this evening with an intimate event for loyal guests.

The reception at the restaurant, which is popular with the region’s leading sports and TV stars, will consist of an evening of drinks and canapes, as Piccolino celebrates a return to business as usual.

The restaurant’s general manager, Giuseppe Pinto, said: “We are delighted to invite guests to join us in raising a glass to the reopening of the restaurant this evening.

“After a wonderful Christmas and new year, one of our most successful to date, we were saddened to have to temporarily close to follow last week’s incident.

“I, on behalf of everyone at Piccolino, would like to thank the local fire service and police for their amazing response, and to our wonderful team which has worked tirelessly to ensure we’re in a position to reopen today.

“Thank you also to our loyal guests who have been in touch with messages of support over this last week.

“We are incredibly grateful for their understanding and delighted to celebrate our reopening with so many tonight.”

Three fire engines attended the fire at about 6.40pm, along with an aerial ladder platform, and crews quickly put out the fire.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “A crew from Wilmslow were first in attendance and quickly gained control of the fire. With the support of other fire crews, they extinguished the blaze.

“Fire damage was limited to the restaurant. Firefighters were at the scene for approximately five hours.

“An investigation into the cause of the fire has now been completed. The fire was not started deliberately.

“The fire originated within a kitchen extraction system before spreading into the restaurant’s roof void.”

“Business that use extraction systems are reminded to ensure they are serviced and maintained to the required standard.”

Piccolino is owned and operated by Individual Restaurants, one of the UK’s leading restaurant groups.