A CITY centre cafe and restaurant which has just undergone a £200,000 makeover has been targeted by arsonists.

It will cost more than £10,000 to repair damage to Smorgasbord Coffee Bar's shopfront and its re-opening has been delayed.

The cafe, in Rawson Place, was due to open again later this week following three months of refurbishment and expansion works.

But now owner Arif Mehmood has been left counting the cost after rubbish outside was set alight.

Mr Mehmood, who set up the business eight years ago, said he was devastated by the arson attack.

"I am trying to keep myself together. I've gone through so much pain in the last three months - being closed for such a long time with no money coming in and setback after setback. I was finally looking forward to this week, reopening, and getting back to normal," he said.

A call to his mobile from his alarm service alerted his to the fire at about 8.30pm on Monday. When he arrived he saw damage to a main section of the shopfront, which will need replacing.

The business's CCTV camera caught someone setting the rubbish alight at 8.23pm and the fire brigade arriving ten minutes later.

About 15 minutes after the fire started the footage shows a hole being blown in the glass, which triggered the alarm, but there is no clear shot of the arsonist.

The footage also shows a man walking past shortly after the fire started and taking out his mobile phone. Mr Mehmood described him as "an angel" as he must have been the one to alert the fire service.

He said police were also hoping to obtain footage from Bradford Council's CCTV street cameras.

"It was a big fire and looks like somebody has put something on it to create a big blaze, such as turps.

"We've been burgled six times since we opened, and now this - but we are not going anywhere," he said.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said officers were called to reports of the fire at about 8.50pm last night.

He added: "The fire is believed to have caused damage to the front of the property and is being treated as arson.

"Initial enquiries are ongoing and anyone who has information is asked to contact the Bradford City NPT on 101."