THE owner of a new town centre restaurant says she is devastated after a flood destroyed her new eatery just one day after it opened its doors for the first time.

Rae’s Restaurant and Café Bar, in Deansgate, was launched by the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Lynda Byrne, and enjoyed a successful opening night.

But when owner Rae Hutson and partner William Gallagher returned the following morning – for what should have been a busy Mothers’ Day – they discovered a flood had caused extensive damage to the premises.

The flood has since been traced to a blockage in a nearby sewer.

Ms Hutson, aged 52, said: “I’m totally gutted, dispirited and devastated. It just feels like all the business has totally gone down the pan. I can’t open, I can’t expect staff to work down there.”

It was especially heartbreaking for Ms Hutson as her new venture was funded by money left by her mum.

She said: “My mother died last year and left me a substantial amount of money and it was her dream for me to have my own place. It’s totally my inheritance. Every penny.”

A spokesman for United Utilities, which is responsible for drains in the borough, said: “We’re very sorry for the disruption caused to this business and we have been working closely with them to find a solution.”

“Further investigation work is taking place on the sewer and our engineers will be putting the necessary measures in place to avoid any further blockages on this part of the network, whilst we review what long term work is required at this location.”