WORK has finally started on a repair and refurbishment project at a popular Bradford cafe badly damaged in a mill blaze 11 weeks ago.

The Sweet Centre cafe on Lumb Lane, Bradford, suffered serious damage caused by water and intense heat as over 100 firefighters tackled the Drummond Mill fire on January 28.

Although jets of water from fire crews saved the building, some of the water got inside the cafe and caused damage to fittings, furnishings and equipment on three floors.

Following talks with insurers, the cafe's owners have this week started work on an estimated £70,000 revamp project that will take several weeks to complete.

MORE TOP STORIES

Haroon Habib, spokesman for the Sweet Centre cafe, said everyone was keen to see the cafe reopened.

"We are working as fast as we can so that we can open before the holy month of Ramadan which is due to start on June 6," he said.

"We just want to get it back up and running. Customers want us back open, in our original home."

Although the cafe is currently closed, the business is continuing to serve food from the Sweet Centre Lounge which is also on Lumb Lane. The nearby Sweet Centre restaurant has also reopened.

Mr Habib said it was frustrating the cafe remained closed long after other Lumb Lane businesses had reopened.

Meanwhile, a business whose premises were destroyed in the fire has relocated.

Online retailer Zoozio, which sells homewares, DIY supplies and gadgets, has moved to Marrtree Business Park, Bradford.

Zoozio staff were forced to leave their Drummond Mill offices when the fire started in the former textile mill.

The company, which was launched in 2010 and has grown to employ ten people, has found a new home at the 44,000 sq ft Marrtree Business Park on Sticker Lane.

Eddisons associate director Shazad Mahmood, who arranged the letting on behalf of landlord Frank Marshall Estates, said: "The Drummonds Mill fire was a devastating and very frightening incident for everyone involved and we're really pleased to have been able to help Zoozio relocate relatively quickly to affordable, modern premises that are just a stone’s throw from the city centre.

"All ten units at Marrtree Business Park are now let, which is good news for Bradford’s economy.

"We are seeing demand for this sort of warehouse and industrial space outstripping supply right across the city as the economy picks up, thanks to the success of businesses like Zoozio."

Edward Marshall, director at Frank Marshall Estates, said: "For Zoozio, and all the other businesses affected by the fire, it has been a very difficult time and as a Bradford business ourselves it’s very rewarding to be able to help provide them with suitable accommodation in a time of adversity."