A POPULAR cafe that was forced to close following a mill blaze four months ago is finally opening its doors to customers again today.

The Sweet Centre cafe on Lumb Lane, Bradford, suffered major damage caused by water and the intense heat of the Drummond Mill fire on January 28.

Although fire crews were able to save the building from the fierce flames, water used to tackle the blaze got inside the cafe and caused damage to fittings, furnishings, and equipment on three floors.

Owners said the fire damage was the worst thing to hit the business in its 50-year history, but following a £70,000 revamp, the cafe is now open once again.

Haroon Habib, who is involved in running the business, said he was delighted the day of the grand re-opening had come.

“To be closed for four months has been hard, a very stressful time,” he said.

“Customers have been constantly asking when we are going to be open again.

“They are very loyal, and lots of people have memories of this place.

“The new cafe is a lot more modern and we think people will love the new look.

“Just being back open again is the main thing.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Haroon Habib outside the Sweet Centre cafe on Lumb Lane, which is finally open to customers again today

Haroon Habib outside the Sweet Centre cafe on Lumb Lane, which is finally open to customers again today

The fire broke out in a basement of the grade-II listed mill used by Zoozio, an online retailer of household goods.

At the height of the blaze, more than 120 firefighters were at the scene, with local residents and businesses forced to evacuate the area.

One fireman involved said he had not seen such a “dangerous and frightening situation” in more than 25 years as a firefighter.

Following the blaze, the cafe owners couldn’t even go inside the building for five days as the mill wall had fallen into the shop, with the cafe ceiling also collapsing.

While the cafe was closed, the business managed to continue to serve food from the Sweet Centre Lounge, also situated on Lumb Lane.

Mr Habib said that the refurbishment had completed modernised the cafe.

“The new design has really added light and colour, it will make Lumb Lane shine again,” he said.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Haroon Habib in the Sweet Centre cafe, which has had a £70,000 revamp

Haroon Habib in the Sweet Centre cafe, which has had a £70,000 revamp

“Some good has come out of this, as in a way, the cafe has been given a new lease of life.

“People have been walking past while we have been doing the work and we’ve had a really positive response to what we’ve done, which is really nice.

“We look forward to welcoming them all. Losing the mill was devastating for the community, but we need to try and rebuild Lumb Lane, and hopefully this will help.”