AFTER almost 12 months and at a cost of around £100,000 Atherton's Granary and Stable Bistro and Coffee House (Cobbles) is set to reopen tomorrow.

Last July owners Ian and Angela McGraw grabbed their pet collie Heidi and ran for their lives after a huge fire at a nearby tyre depot severely damaged their premises off Market Street.

Now their lengthy battle to reopen their popular eatery is over, but Angela related just what a struggle the past year has been.

"We had to sell our home otherwise we would have been well and truly scuppered. After a long battle with the insurance company and spending a long, cold winter without a roof or electricty we're finally re-opening on Friday, June 22," said Angela.

"After the blaze we spent a week at the Holiday Inn at Bolton and since then we've lived in our camper van in the Granary courtyard. We're taking on two new members of staff and can't wait to welcome back our customers, many of whom have regularly called to see how the rebuild has been progressing.

"And we're indebted to Atherton joiner John Higson of Cottage Cabinets for his work.

"Whether its a coffee or a three course meal we're looking forward to meeting customers old and new whether in the restaurant or in the seated courtyard where we've created a conservation area for bees and butterflies."